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VIEW 

OF THE WHOLE 

SCRIPTURE HISTORY 



4 CONTINUATION OF THE JEWISH AFFAIRS FROM 

THE OLD TESTAMENT TILL THE 

TIME OF CHRIST; 

AND 

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CHIEF PROPHECIES 
THAT RELATE TO HLM I 

Represented in a Way of Question and Jlnswer. 

fllustrated with 

- ARIOUS REMARKS ON THE HISTORY AND THE RELIGION OE 

THE PATRIARCHS, JEWS AND CHRISTIANS, AND ON 

THE LAWS, GOVERNMENT, SECTS, CUSTOMS 

AND WRITINGS OF THE JEWS. 



BY L WATTS, D. D. 

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. *,■ 



BOSTON ; 

.PUBLISHED BY CHARLES fiWEF, NC, 51, CORNHILL. 
Sewell Phelps, Printer. 

1819. 









"vtV 



PREFACE, 



THE DESIGN OF SUCH A SHORT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE 
HISTORY, AND THE ADVANTAGES OF IT. 



The rfoly Scripture is divided into two books, which are 
commonly called the Old Testament and the New. And as 
each of these books contains several articles or propositions 
which God has revealed to men for the direction of their faith 
and practice in the successive age9 of the world ; so there are 
several histories contained in them, or narratives of the lives 
and deaths of men, of the affairs of nations, and especially of 
the transactions of God with mankind. 

Some knowledge of these historical matters is necessary and 
useful, in order to obtain a more clear and full acquaintance 
with the principles of our holy religion, as well as to assist and 
engage us in the practice of it by way of motive. It is the 
history all along introduces the peculiar doctrine and duties ; 
and all the latter revelations of the mind and will of God, relat- 
ing to religion, have some connexion with and dependence 
upon the events which went before. 

The very Gospel of Christ consists partly in the history of 
his life and death ; nor can the other part of it, namely, the 
doctrines and duties, be so well understood without some 
knowledge of the law of Moses, the ceremonies of the Jews, the 
religion of the patriarchs, and the transactions of God with 
Adam, the first father of all mankind. 

The great and blessed God at one single view surveys all his 
own works and designs, from the beginning to the end of them ; 
and every part of his grand scheme stands in a delightful har- 
mony with the rest. He has ordained all his more early deal- 
ings with men in such a manner, as to let in divine light by 
several gradations upon a dark world, and to lay a happy foun- 
dation for its latest and bestr revelation made by his own Son, 



-iv PREFACE. 

and his apostles : and in many cases the former laws, ordi" 
nances, and transactions, are evidently designed to prefigure 
and shadow out, as well as to introduce those which follow. 
Adam, our first father, by whom sin and death icere brought into 
the world, was a type or figure of Jesus the second Adam, who 
brought in righteousness arid lift. Rom. v. 14. 1 Cor. xv. 21, 
22, 45, 49. The law of Moses Avas a shadoiv of the good things 
which were to come ; but the body and substance of these 
blessings was given us by Christ our Saviour. Col. ii. 17. Hth. 
x. 1. And it is certain we may obtain a more extensive and 
complete knowledge of Christianity, by our acquaintance with 
the sucrcd affairs of Adam and Noah, of Abraham and Moses, 
and the sons of Israel. 

Besides, it is the history of the Bible, which hath conveyed 

down to us tha knowledge of those miracles and divine won- 

: ich have been wrought by the prophets, the immediate 

Dgers of heaven, to prove that they were sent of God : 

it i in tin- history we read those prophecies of things to come, 

i v. iih tli* accomplishment of them, which stand in a 
beautiful connexion from the beginning of the world to the 
days of the Messiah. All of them join to confirm our faith in 
the icveral revelations of religion which God has made to the 

men ; and all concur to establish the last and noblest 
scheme of religion, that is, Christianity. Thus the very history 
of Scripture has a powerful and rational influence to establish 
:.::r belief of the Gospel, and to make us Christians upon solid 
and reasonable grounds. 

I add yet further, that in the historical part of Scripture we 
the holy laws of God, exemplified in the life and practice 
( f ?nod men in several ages of the world : and when we see the 
rules of r Urion copied out in the words and actions of our fel- 
low creator* -. it renders the performance of them more practi- 
delightful to us. While the -word of command 
stands in the law to require our obedience, the actual obedience 
of our fathers to those commands recorded in the histopy invites 
our imitation, and makes the work more easy. 

To conclude : we find not only the precepts but the sanctions 
of the law of God exemplified 'in the narrative of Scripture. 
flow often do we read the premises of God fulfilled in the re- 

of the righteous, and his threatenings executed against 
wilful transgressors ! These tilings set the government of God 

i ur eyi in a stronger light; they shew us that his word:, 
of promise and threatening are not empty sounds ; and make it 
,.:,; ear villi sensible conviction, that he will certainly reVard. 
wild that he wiii as certainly. punish. The many wonderful in- 
stance^ of a divine Providence which concerns itself in the af- 
fairs of men. and which are recorded in the word of God. have 



PREFACE. v 

a natural tendency to awaken our fear of so great and glorious 
a Being, and to encourage our hope and trust in him. In a 
word, the perfections of God, whereby he made and governs 
the world, are set before our eyes by the Scripture history in 
such divine colours, as give us a more awful and amiable idea 
of God himself, than any words of description could have done, 
without such an historical account of his works of nature, grace, 
and providence. 

Since then it appears, that some knowledge of the history of 
Scripture is necessary and useful to every one among us who 
would know and love God, and be a partaker of his favour, the 
next thing to be inquired is, how this knowledge may be best 
attained ? How shall persons, whose capacity is weak, or who 
have, little time to employ on these subjects, be led in the 
shortest and easiest way to a competent acquaintance with the 
sacred history ? And how shall those who are young in years, 
be trained up in the plainest and most alluring manner to some 
knowledge of these important affairs, till their growing age and 
further advantages, shall give them a mors extensive and capa- 
cious view of all the transactions between God and men record- 
ed in Scripture ? 

The Bible itself is a very large book,. and though it ought to 
be read (at least many parts of it) by persons of all characters 
and conditions, yet the reducing of the several things contained 
in it to a short and narrow view, by way of abridgment, is so 
exceeding useful, that I had almost called it necessary, at least 
for youth, and for persons in the lower ranks of life, who have 
fewer conveniences and advantages of knowledge. I have made 
this sufficiently evident with regard to the doc^ines and duties 
of religion, in my Discourse concerning the Composition and 
Use of Catechisms, to which I refer my reader : and the same 
argument will hold good with regard to the historical part of 
Scripture. There 1 have shewn particularly how needful it is 
to collect the great articles and rules of our religion, which lie 
scattered up and down in the Bible, into a shorter scheme for 
the use of younger understandings ; and I have given my rea- 
sons also, why the catechetical method of question and an- 
swer is preferable to all other methods *of instruction ; and I 
need not repeat the same things here, with regard to sacred 
history. 

It is proper the reader should know, that at the end of the 
History of the Old Testament I have inserted one chapter^. 
wherein the Jewish affairs are continued from the time of Nehe- 
miah (where the sacred writers end) down to the time of Christ 
and the Gospel. This is borrowed from- the best ancient writ- 
nigs we have of these events, namely, 4he books of Maccabees 
m the Apocrypha, and the history of Josephus, though I am. 



vi PREFACE. 

greatly indebted also to Dr. PrideauxVs Historical Com 

of the Old and New Testament, < 

so happily reduced to a chronological order, and erabi 

and improved with man) vain m h« athen historians. 

And to render the work v< t more us< ful in these daya of in- 
fidelity, 1 have added another chapter, which I call a Prophet* 
ical Connection between the (>M and New Testament , wherein 
the most emirlent prophecies relating to our blessed Lord are 
set down in one view, together with their accomplishment ; 
that younger minds may see how much this great Messiah, 01 
anointed Saviour, was foretold and expected through all 
and may have their faith of Christ built early upon 
foundation. 

I have nothing more to add, but to acquaint the reader with 
the method I have taken in composing this work, and with the 
use that he should make of it- 

In framing this book, I have observed the following 
namely, 

I. I have proceeded, for the most part according to the 
order of things as they lie in the bocks of Scripture ; but still 
endeavouring to maintain some connexion throughout the whole 
history. Yet 1 cannot say I have always reduced things to that 
order in which they were transacted : f r in bi \> ral 

found that a strict observation of chronology would Ii;i\e inter- 
mingled too many incidents of different kind.-, would have 
broken the scheme of things I had proposed, or interrupted the 
narrative of some particular event, and rendered the%istory 
much more unconnected and disagreeable to thoae for whom 1 
write. 

II. Though I have not been solicitous to insert everj inci- 
dent, and the name of every person contained in the 01 
tament. yet I have omitted scan or n markable 
transaction which has be< n r< ferr< d to or cit< d in the N< 

has any connexion with the Gospel < f Christ, which i 

religion of Christians. It was not i 

ticular narratives cont iin< d in the Scripture, without n 

another book almost^is big as the Bible itself : when 

jprime design was to give an i 

history, for the us< of person of su< 

tions of life, as are not able to att« n I to much re. 

a fuller and more accurate knowledge of the transaction oi 

God With men. 

III. I have added tin- chaj.b r 

. • 
reader might be invited to sear* h his Bibh 
larger and more particuh r 
matters which I hav< h 



PREFACE. yfi 

. efsons by this r?eans are allured to grow familiar with 
rd of God, I am persuaded the advantage the}- may reap 
thereby will richly compensate all their labour? in reading this 
historical abridgment of Scripture, and all my pains in writ- 
ins: it. 

IV. It is all divided into chapters, and some chapters into 
sections, with a new title io each. This will, in some measure, 
rive a comprehensive view of the method and order of the 
whole. It is evident that the catechetical form of question 
and answer takes off the tiresomeness of reading from younger 
minds, and perpetually allures their inquiry and curiosity on- 
ward by short answers, without that weariness which arises 
from many long Continued pages of mere narrative : and in the 
same manner a proper distinction of the history into chapters 
and sections under different titles, renders the work of reading 
much more delightful by the frequent returning rests and pauses. 

V. Since I intended it originally for persons of younger 
years, and the common rank of mankind, I have studied gene- 
rally to use such words and forms of speech as are most plain 
and easy to be understood. It would not have answered my 
design so well, if I must have sent my reader too often to his 
dictionary to inquire the meaning of hard words and Latinized 
expressions. 

VI. Yet I have not so confined myself to the service of my 
unlearned readers, as to neglect all useful criticisms and occa- 
sional remarks to clear up difficulties : but have freely inter- 
spersed them throughout the Avhole book, so far as may inform 
the inquisitive, and give some hints to the more intelligent 
reader, for the further illustration of some passages of Scripture 
both in the Old Testament and the New. 

If there should be found any mistakes in drawing up this 
history, which might have been rectified by further consulting 
the writings of the learned, I would only mention one apology 
for myself ; and that is, a great part of it was drawn up in the 
country, at a distance from my usual habitation, where I had 
no learned writings to consult, and was confined to my Bible 
idone. A friendly notice of any such mistakes might occasion 
a correction of them. 

Let me here speak a word or two more of the particular uses 
which may be made of this summary of sacred history. 

It may not be an improper book to lie constantly in the 
nursery or the parlour, to assist the instruction of children, or 
the conversation of grown persons. And if this and other useful 
books were suffered always to lie in the places appointed for 
servants, especially in great families, it might be an allurement 
to them to employ some of their leisure in a profitable manner. 
The placing it in any room of usual residence, may entice per- 



viii PREFACE. 

sons often to look into it, and lead them into an easy acquaint- 
ance with the various dealings of God with men from i 1 
ginning of the world. 

Nor can I think it would be a vain or useless employment 
for persons who are not furnished with better advaiit 
Scripture knowledge, to read it over once in 
in order to keep these sacred memoir> ever fresh in their miadi 
Haifa chapter in a week would be no heavy ta>k, and this 
would finish it in one year's time. 

May the divine blessing attend this feeble endeavour of mine 
to diffuse the knowledge of divine things among mankind, and 
to furnish families with useful matter for conversation, whereby 
they may be better secured against the temptations oJ 
and vicious writings, and vain discourse, which give an unhappy 
tincture to the imagination in early years, and tend to defile 
and destroy the soul. 



V 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

PAGE. 

Thf. Introduction, - 1 

An Account of the several Di f God toward 

Men, 2 

Chap. I. The History of Mankind before the Flood, 

namely, of Adam, Eye, Cain, Abel, Enoch, &c. . 3 

Chap. II. Of Noah, Abraham, and their Families after 

the Flood, . 9 

Root. 1. Of Noah and his Sons, .... 9 

Sect. 2. Of Abraham and Lot, Ishmael and Isaac, 12 

Sect. 3. Of Esau and Jacob, and their Posterity, 17 

Chap. III. The Deliverance of the Israelites from F>gypt 

by Moses and Aaron, ...... 21 

Chap. IV. Of the Moral Lav.-, . ... 26 

Chap. V. Of the Ceremonial Law of the Jews, . 28 

Sect. 1. Of the Ceremonies of Purification, ., 29 

Sect. 2. Of the Holy Persons, namely, Priests, Le- 

fcites, Naznrites, . , 32 

Sect. 3. Of the Holy Places, particularly the Taber- 
nacle, . . . . . ... 34 

Sect. 4. Of the Holy Things, namely, the Ark. Table, 
Candlestick, Altars, Layer, Holy Garments, Sacrifi- 
ces, Incense. Ointment. Water of Purification, &c. 36 
Sect. 5. Of the Holy Times, Feasts and Fasts, the 
Sabbaths, the New Moons, the Pass-over. Pentecost, 
Feast of Tabernacles, Dav of Atonement, &c; 44 
Beet. 6. The Use of the Jewish Ceremonies, both to 
the Jews and to Christians, . . . ' 49 



\ 



x CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Chap. VI. Of the Political or Judicial Law of the J, ws, 
namely, of their Wars, Marriages, rood, Raiment, 
Cattle, Sabbatical Year, Jubilee, &c. 
Chap. VII. Of the Sins and Punishments of the Jews in 

the Wilderness, 50 

Chap. VIII. Of the Jews' Entrance into Canaan, and 

their first Government by Judge.", . 62 

Sect. 1. Of their Possession of Canaan, and destroying 

the old Inhabitants, 62 

Sect. 2. Of the Government of the Jews by Judges, 
namely, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, 
Samson, &c. ....... 68 

Chap. IX. Of the Government of the Jews under their 

Kings ; and first of Saul and David, . . 75 

Chap. X. Of the Reign of Solomon and Rehoboam over 
all Israel, and the Division of the Nation into two 
Kingdoms, ........ 34 

Chap. XI. Of the Kings of Israel , ... .89 

Chap. XII. Of the Kings of Judah, ... 9T 

Chap. XIII. Of the Return of the Jews from Captivity, 
and the building the City of Jerusalem and the Tem- 
ple, under the Conduct of Ezra and Nehemiah, 103 
Chap. XIV. The History of Job, . . . .117 

Chap. XV. The History of Jonah, .... 120 

Chap. XVI. The History of Jeremiah, . . 1£2 

Chap. XVII. The History of Daniel, 

Chap. XVIII. The History of Esther, 133 

Chap. XIX. A Continuation of the Jewish History from 

the End of the Old T< stament to the Tiim a of Chri.«t, 137 
Sect. 1. Of Nehemiab'a further Reformation ; of Syn- 
agogues, Targums, Samaritans, Proselyti b, ..V<\ 13? 
Sect. 2. Of the Jewish affair.- under the Persian and 
Grecian Monarchies, and particularly under Alexan- 
der the Great, 1-4-1 

Sect. 3. The Jewish Affairs under the Pi 

of Egypt. <>i the gr< al Synagogue, tin- Miahnah and 
Talmud, and Septuagint, or Gre< k Translation of the 

Bible, . 147 

Sect. 4. Of the Jewish Affairs under Antiochua the 
Great, Seleucus^ and Antiochus Epiphanes, Kings of 
Syria, 154 



CONTENTS. xi 

PAGE. 

"Sect. 5. Of Mattathias the great Reformer, the Father 

of the Maccabees, ■ 158 

Sect. 6. Of the Jewish Government under the Asmo- 
neans, or Maccabees ; and first of the three Brothers, 
Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, .... 161 

Sect. 7. Of the Posterity and Successors of Simon, 
and of the several Sects among the Jews, namely, 
Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Herodians, and Kara- 
ites, . . . ... . . 176 

Sect. 8. Of the Government of Herod the Great, and 
his Posterity, - . . . . - . 191 
Chap. XX. A Prophetical Connection between the Old 
Testament and the New, by a View of the Prophecies 
relating to Christ, and their Accomplishment, . 203 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

Chap. XXL Of John the Baptist, . . . 222 
Chap. XXII. Of the Birth and Childhood of Jesus Christ, 227 
Chap. XXIII. Of the public Life and Ministry of Christ, 230 
Introduction. His Preparation for his public Work, 230 
Sect. 1. Jesus Christ's Appearance, with the Charac- 
ters of the Messiah, 232 

Sect. 2. Of the Subjects of his Preaching, his Parables, 

Disputes, &c , . 234 

Sect. 3. Of the Miracles of Christ, , 241 

Sect. 4. The Example of Christ, . . . 242 

Sect. 5. His calling the Apostles, and instructing them, 244 
Sect. 6. His appointment or Institution of the two 

Sacraments, ....... 246 

Sect. 7. Remarkable Occurrences or Transactions in 

the Life of Christ, . . . . . . 248 

Chap. XXIV. Of the Death, Resurrection, and Ascen- 
sion of Christ, . . . . - -. 252 

Sect. 1. Of his Sufferings, Death, an4 Burial, . 252 
Sect. 2. Of the Resurrection of Christ, and his seve- 
ral Appearances to his Disciples, . . . 259 
Sect. 3. Of his Ascension to heaven, . . ■'. 262 



3ji CONTENTS. 

TAG*. 

Chap. XXV. Of the Acts of the Ap 

and John, and the Ueao ; 1 i'hilip, . 263 

Chaj). XXV L The Acts of Paul the Apostle, his Travels 

and Sufferings, his Life and Death, 



OF THE WHOLE 

SCRIPTURE HISTORY, &c 

The History of the Old Testament, 

THE INTRODUCTION. 

THERE is no history in the world so ancient as the 
Bible, nor is there any which gives us so early an ac- 
count of things. The Old Testament begins with the 
creation of the world, brings us into acquaintance with 
Adam and Eve, our first parents, informs us of their state 
of innocence, their sin against God, and their being driv- 
en out ef paradise ; it recounts the first generations of 
men, and their multiplied iniquities, which provoked God 
to destroy them by a flood. 

Then it treats of the character, circumstances and 
conduct of Neah and Abraham, and of their families af- 
ter the flood, enlarging most upon the household of Jacob, 
or Israel, the grandson of Abraham, who, at the invitation 
of his son Joseph, went down with his family to dwell in 
Egypt, where they were enslaved by Pharaoh the king. 

The history proceeds to the deliverance of the Israel- 
ites out of Egyptian bondage by Moses and Aaron, and 
their being set apart to be a peculiar people to God. It 
rehearses the laws and statutes which were given them, 
together with their sins and punishments while they were 
2" 



2 INTRODUCTION. 

in the wilderness, travelling to the land of Canaan, which 
God had promised them. 

Then there follows an account of their conquest over 
^;he land of Canaan under the conduct of Joshua ; their 
government by judges several hundred years ; mid after 
that there is a narrative of their four first kings, 
Saul, David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. In his days the 
nation was divided into two kingdoms, which were call- 
ed the kingdom of Israel, and the kingdom of Judah. 

There are also particular records of the government 
of these two distinct kingdoms, under a long succession 
of their own kings, till they were both earned into cap- 
tivity by the kings of Assyria. 

After this, the sacred history relates the return of 
many of them, (chiefty the tribes of Judah and Benja- 
min) into their own land, and their rebuilding the city of 
Jerusalem, and the temple of God, and the settlement of 
the affairs of the church and state by Ezra and Nehemi- 
ah, which is the end of the historical part of the Old 
Testament. 

During all this time there is an account given of the 
several prophets and messengers which were >i>nt from 
God on special occasions to reveal his mind and will to 
men: and there is also a larger and more particular nar- 
rative of the lives or transactions of some extraordinary 
persons, several of which are much interwoven with the 
series of the history: but there are others which seem to 
jstand separate and distinct ; such are the affairs relating 
to Job, a rich man of the East, Jonah a Prophet in Israel, 
and Esther the- Queen of Persia, to which I have added 
some account of Jeremiah and Daniel, the prophets, in 
distinct chapters. 

At the end of these I have put in two chapters before 
the bejiinnin;; of the New Testament, which contain an 
Historical and Prophetical Convection between the Old 
Testament anil the New ; of which I have tpven an ac- 
count in the Introduction to those particular chapters, 
»as well as in the general Preface. 



Chap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. S 

CHAPTER I. 

The History of Mankind before the Flood. 

1 Quest. How came this world into being ? 
Answ. In the beginning the great God made heaven 

and earth, and all things that are in them. Gen. i. 1. 
Exod.xz. 11. 

2 Q. How did God make all things ? 

A. By his powerful word, for he commanded, and it 
was done. Gen. i. 3, 6, 9, &c. Heb. xi.3. Psalm xxxiii. 9. 

JVo/e. We are also informed in the New Testament, that 
God created all things by his son Jesus Christ, Eph. iii. 9. and 
that his name is The Word of God. John i. 3. Rev. xix. 13. 

5 Q. What time did God spend in making the world ? 

A. God, who could have made all things at once, by 
his perfect wisdom and almighty power, chose rather to 
do it by degrees, and spent six days in making the world, 
with the creatures that are in it. Gen. i. 31. Eccod. xx. 1 1 «. 

4 Q. What was his work on the first day ? 

A. He made light, and divided it from the darkness, 
and the evening and the morning were the first day. 
Gen. i. 3, 5. 

5 Q. What did God make the second day? 

A. The air or the lower heavens, which are here call- 
ed the Firmament, and the clouds, which are the waters 
above the firmament, ver. 6. 

6 Q. What did he do on the third day ? 

A. He separated the earth from the sea, and made' 
the trees and herbs to grow out of the ground, ver. 8-12„~ 

7 Q. What was the work of the fourth day ? 

A. The sun, moon, and stars, which were appointed 
to give light upon the earth, and to make our days, our 
months, and our years, ver. 14 — 19. 

8 q. What was the fifth day's work ? 

A. The birds and the fishes, which were both made 
out of the water, ver. 20 — 23. 

9i Q, And what was the sixth and last day's work .3 



4 , SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

A. Creeping things, beasts, and man, which were all 
formed out of the earth, ver. 24 — 26; and God bless- 
ed his creatures, and pronounced his works all VCW 
good. ver. 28, 3 1 . 

10 Q. What did God do the seventh day ? 

Jl. God rested from his work of creation, and Bet 
apart the seventh day for a holy sabbath, or day of rest. 
Gen. ii. 2, 3. 

11 Q. . Who were the first man and woman that God 
made r 

Jl. Adam and Eve. Gen. v. 1, 2. 1 Cor. xv. 45. 
Gen. iii. 20. 

12 Q. In what manner did God make Adam ? 

Jl. He framed his body out of the dust of the ground, 
and then put a living soul within him. Gen. ii. 7. 

13 Q. How did God make Eve r 

Jl. He cast Adam into a deep sleep, and formed Eve 
out of one of his ribs, and then brought her to him to be 
his wife. Gen. ii. 20, 21, &c. 

14 Q. In what state did God create them ? 

Jl. God created them both in his own likeness, in a 
holy and happy state, which is called the state of inno- 
cence. Gen. i, 26. 

15 Q. Where did God put Adam and Eve when he 
had made them ? 

Jl. Into the garden of Eden, to keep it, and take care 
of it, that even in the state of innocence and happiness, 
they might have some work to be employed in. Qen* 
ii. 15. 

16 O. "What was their food in that garden ? 

J&, God gave them leave to eat of" any of the herbs, 
plants, or fruits, that grew there, except the fruit of one 
tree, which lie forbid them to taste of on pain of death. 
Hen. i. 29, and ii. 1(>, 17. 

17 ({. What was the name of that teee ? 

Jl, It was called the tree of the knowledge of good 
and evil, because as Boon as man eat of it, be would 
know evil to his sorrow, a* well as he knew good before 
to his comfort, ver. 17, and chap. iii. 5. 

18 ({. As there was one tree so dangerous; that it 



Chap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ' 5 

exposed him to death if he eat of it, was there not also a 
tree that would secure him from death ? 

Jl. Yes ; there was a tree called the tree of life, placed 
in the midst of the garden, whose fruit was also able to 
have preserved him in life, if he had continued to obey 
God, Gen. ii. 9, and chap. iii. 22, and it is reasonably 
supposed to be designed as a pledge or seal of eternal 
life to him, if he had continued in his innocency. 

19 Q. What was the religion of Adam in the state 
of innocency? 

J?. The practice of all the duties toward God, and 
toward his creatures, which the light of nature or reason 
could teach him ; together with nis observance of this 
one positive precept of abstaining from the fruit of the 
tree of knowledge ; and this was given him as a special 
test or trial of his obedience to his Maker. This is call- 
ed the DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE. 

20 Q. TIow did Adam behave himself in this time of 
his trial ? 

Jl. He eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which 
God had forbid him on pain of death. Gen. ii. 17, and 
chap. iii. 6. 

21 Q. How came Adam to disobey God, and eat of 
this forbidden tree ? 

Jl. Eve first was persuaded to eat of that deadly 
fruit, and then she persuaded Adam to eat of it too. 
Gen. iii. 12. 

22 Q. Who tempted Eve to eat of it ? 

J. The Evil Spirit, that is the Devil, which lay hid 
in the serpent, Gen. iii. 1. 2 Cor. xi.S. and for this* 
reason he is called the old Serpent. Iter. xii. 9. 

23 Q. What mischief followed from hence £ 

A.- As Adam sinned against God, so he brought in' 
sin and death among all mankind, who were his chil- 
dren, and they have spread through all generations. 
Rom.x. 12. 

24 q. Then God did not put Adam and Eve t<* 
death as soon as they had sinned ? 

Jl. No; but they were condemned to die ; and be- 
came liable to sickness and* death; they were driven out 



6 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

of the garden of paradise, that they might not taste of 
the tree of life, and they were appointed to labour hard 
for their food all their days. Gen. iii. 1 ( ), 23. 

25 Q. Did God, who spared their life, shew them 
any further pity ? 

Jl. Yes; he gave them a kind promise, and clothed 
them with the skins of beasts, because they were naked. 
Gen. iii. 15,21. 

26 Q. What was the kind promise that he gave 
them ? 

Jl. That the seed of the woman should Weak the head 
of the serpent, who tempted them to sin. Gen. iii. 1 5. 

27 ({. Who is this seed of the woman ? 

.#. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who in 
due time i&ds born of a woman Gal. iv. 4. 

28 Q. What is meant by his breaking the serpent'.- 
liead ? 

Jl. That Christ should destroy the wicked works 
and designs of the Devil, and thereby save mankind 
from the sin and death, which were brought in among 
them by his temptation. 1 John iii. 8. Heb. ii. 1-i, 15. 

29 Q. Whence came the skins of the beasts with 
which God clothed Adam and Eve ? 

Jl. It is likely God taught Adam to offer sacrifices 
at this time, and that these were the skins of the beasts 
that were offered in sacrifice.. 

•TWe. Whether flesh was eaten by the religious fkmili 
lore the flood, is uncertain ; but it does not appear that God 
had given Adam express leave to eat flesh, Gen. i. 29, chap. ii. 
26, and ix. 23, and then there could be no skins to be hud 
from beasts killed for food. But the sin of man deserved death ; 
and it was probably at this time that God appointed b< 
be sacrificed or put to death, to shew that hu deservi d death, 
and to make a sort of typical atonement, or anawi r for the sin 
of man; since cutting and burning God's liviir.; 
not seem to be a contrivance of man himself t<> app ,- 
for his own sin. Then it i> natural to suppose that God clotht d 
Adam and Eve with the skim of tl 
ficed, to shew them, in a typical or figurative 
clothes covered the naked body from shame and harm. 
lices, offered according to God's appointment, should il 
sense protect tbem from the punishment which nn had 
ed» 



Chap. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

And it is very possible God might inform Adam that all these- 
appointments were only a figure of Christ the great sacrifice,. 
the seed of tke iceman, who should make a real and effectual 
atonement for sin hereafter by his own death. I confess all this 
does not so evidently appear in the writings of Moses, nor could 
it be expected, -where the account of things in these early times 
is so exceeding short ; though it is very agreeable to the dis- 
coveries made in the following parts of Scripture. I add yet 
further that sacrifices might be instituted at this time with this. 
view and design, even though Adam himself might not be in- 
formed of it : for the great God does not always immediately 
reveal to his creatures the reason and design of all his precept? 
or his providences. Job xxxiii. 14. . 

SO Q. What was the religion of man after the foil 
or sin of Adam? 

Ji. All the duties of the light of nature which were 
required before : and besides these he was now called to 
repentance for sin, faith or trust in the mercy of God, 
expectation of the promised Saviour, and ottering of 
sacrifices. This is called the Adamical dispensation 
of the covenant of grace, and it reached to Noah's floods 

31 Q. Who- were Adam's first children ? 
Ji. Cain and Abel. Gen.'w. 1,2. 

32 Q. AY hat was Cain ? 

Ji. Adam's eldest son, and he was a tiller of. the 
ground. Gen. iv. 1 , 2. 

33 ^. But what mischief did Cain do ? 

Ji. He killed his brother Abel, who was a keeper of 
sheep. Gen. iv. 2, 8. 

54 Q. Why did Cain kill him ? 

Ji. Because his own works were evil, and God did 
not accept his sacrifices ; but his brother's works were 
righteous, and God gave some token that he accepted' 
him. Gen. iv. 4, 5. 1 John, iii. 18. 

35 (^ Whither went Cain when God reproved him 
for this murder r 

Ji. He went out, and departed from the presence of 
the Lord, and from his father's family, where God was 
worshipped. Gen. iv. 16. . 

36 (f. What were the posterity of Cain ? 

Ji* Some of them are famous for inventions of music 



8 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

and handicraft-trades, but they are supposed to have 
neglected religion. Gen. iv. 20, 22. 

37 Q. What other son had Adam r 

Jl. Seth, who was born soon after the death of Abel, 
and several others after him. Gen. iv. 25, and v. 4. 

38 ({. l>id the children of Seth neglect religion too? 

Jl. Religion was publicly maintained for some gene- 
rations in seth's family, for they distinguished them- 
selves from the wicked Sons of men, they pra\ 
God, and were called the Sons of God. Gen. iv. 26. 
and chap. vi. 2, 4. 

39 Q. Did they grow degenerate afterwards r + 
A. All mankind grew so wicked, except a very few, 

tliat God saw it proper to manifest his righteous judg- 
ment, and his anger against sin, by destroying them. 
Gen. vi. 5 — 7. 

40 Q. Who were some of the chief person- of Seth'fl 
posterity mentioned in Scripture in those early times 2 

Jl. Enoch and Methuselah, Lamech and Noah, were 
The most remarkable. 

41 Q. Who was Enoch ? 

*1. The man who walked with God and pleased him 
in the midst of a wicked world, and foretold the judg- 
ment of God on sinners. Gen. v. 22. Jude 14, 15. 

JVo/e. When Enoch and Noah are raid to wall with God. 
ionie learned men have supposed, that it does not onlj 
that they behaved themselves always as in the presence • 
and conversed with hint by meditation ami prayer, and walk* <! 
in his ways; but that God appeared of old to theM pioos DM n. 
as he did to Abraham, and walked and convened with them in 
a bodily form ; and this was the original of that phi 
with God, to signify the practice of religion. 

42 Q. What became of Enoch ?■ 

Jl. God took him to heaven without dying, as a pe- 
culiar favour and honour done to him. Gen. v. 24. neb. 
ni. 5. 

43 Q. Who was Methuselah ? 

Jl. The son of Enoch, and the oldest man that we 
ever read of. Gen. v. 21. 

44 (£. liow long did he live ? 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 9 

A. Nine hundred and sixty-nine years. Gen. \. 27* 

45 Q. Who was Lamech ? 

A. Noah's father, who prophesied of the blessing the 
earth should find in his son, which had been laid under 
a curse for the sin of Adam. Gen. v. 29. 



CHAP. II. 

Of Noah, Abraham, and their Families, after the Flood* 



Sect. I. Of Noah and his Sons. 

1 Q. Who was Noah ? 

A. The righteous man, who was saved when the 
world was drowned by a flood. Gen. vii. 23. 

2 Q. How did God drown the world ? 

A. When mankind had provoked him by their sins^ 
which were exceeding great, Gen. \T. 5, 6, 7, lie broke 
up the fountains of the great deep under ground, and 
caused it to rain forty clays, and forty nights. Gen. 
vii. 4, 11. 

3 ({. How was Noah saved ? 

A. In an ark, or great ship or vessel, which God 
taught him to build. Gen. vi. 9, 14, &c. 

Xote. Noah had waning of this judgment of God one hun- 
dred and twenty yea* before it came to pass. Gen. vi. ?. 
And as he was a pi-eacher of righteousness. % Pet. ii. 5, so we 
may justly suppose he gave continual waruins; to a sinful world 
while the Ark was building. I Pet. iii. 19, W.. Ilib.xl 7. 

4 Q. Who was saved with him? 

A. All his family, and some- living Greatures of every 
kind, nam ely* two of every unclean beast and bird which 
were neither fit for food or sacrifice, and seven of every 
clean creature which were fit for one or both uses. Gen*.. 
vaii. 2,3, 13, 14. 

5 ({.. How long did Noah tarry in. this ark? 



10 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chant & 

A. At nine months end he sent forth a dove, which 
brought in an olive-branch, to shew him that the \ 
were abated ; and at the end of twelve months and ten 
days he came forth, and the creatures which were with 
him. Gen. vii. 11, and viii. 5 — IS. 

6 Q. What commands did God give Noah ? 

Ji. The ottering of sacrifices was continued. Gen. 
viii. 20, 21. Flesh was given to man for food, as herne 
were before. Qen.ix. 2,3. Blood was forbidden to be 
eaten, the blood of man was expressly forbid to be shed, 
and murder was to be punished with death. Gen. ix. 4, 
5,6. 

-Yo/e. The religion of Noah wat- the same with that of Adam 
after his fall, (See Chap. I. Q. 30) with these few additions 
here mentioned. And this was the Noahchicai. DftPEVSATlOH 
of the covenant of grace, whereby all men, from Noah to Abra- 
ham, were to seek salvation ; and whereby all besides tin- 
fiamily of Abraham were to be saved, even all the heathen 
world, till they bear of Christ. 

7 Q. What promise did God make to Noah ? 

S. That the world should never be drowned again, 
and it pleased God to appoint the rainbow to be a token 
of it. Gen. ix. 13 — 15. 

8 Q. Was there no rainbow before the flood r 

J). It is probable that there was no rain before the 
flood, for the earth was watered daily by a thick mist, 
Gen. ii. 5, t>, and then there could be naturally no rain- 
bow, for it is made by the sunbeainj shining upon fatting 
rain. 

9 ({. Who were Noah's three BOOS? 

J3. Shem, Ham, and Japhet : and they were the 
fathers of all mankind after the flood. Gen. ix. 18, \V, 
and x. 52. 

10 Q. Who were the offspring or posterity of 8hem i 
A, The Persians, who came from Elam their father; 

the Syrians from Aram: the Hebrews from KIxm 
supposed : and particularly the Jews, with other inhabi- 
tants of Asia. Gen. x. 81. 

11 ({. Who were the posterity of Ham r 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. il 

»fl. The Canaanites, the Philistines, and others in 
Asia, and iftie Egyptians, with other inhabitants of Africa. 
Gen. x. 6, &c. 

12 Q. y ^9 were the posterity of Japhet? 

A. Gomeffupposed to be the father of the Germans, 
Javan of the Greeks, Meshech of the Muscovites, ^nd 
other families that dwelt in Europe. Gen. x. 2. 

1 3 Q. Wherein did Ham the father of the Canaan- 
ites do amiss ? 

Jl. He saw his father Noah naked, and made sport 
with him, and he was cursed under the name of his son 
Canaan. Gen. ix. 21, 25. 

JVo/e. It is probable that Canaan joined with his father 
Ham in the mockery of his grandfather Noah, and therefore he 
was cursed : and Resides, this gave early notice to the Israelites, 
that the Canaanites, -whose land God gave them to possess, 
were a people under an ancient curse. 

14 Q. What did Shem and Japhet do on this occa- 
sion ? 

Jl. They covered their father with a garment, and 
concealed his shame, and were blessed. Gen. ix. 23, 
26, 27. 

15 Q. Did mankind froely divide themselves after 
the flood into several nations? 

Jl. No ; but being all of one language, they agreed 
rather to build a chief city with a tower, that all men 
might be joined in one nation or kingdom. Gen. xi. 4. 

16 Q. How did God scatter them abroad into differ- 
ent nations ? 

A. By making them speak different languages, and 
then they ceased to build the tower, which was called 
Babel, or Confusion. Gen. xi. 7 — 9. 

1 7 Q. Did God preserve the true religion in any of 
their families ? 

Jl. It is supposed to have been chiefly preserved in 
the family of Shem, for God is called the Lord God of 
Shem. Gen. ix. 26. 

JVo/e. Though the knowledge of the true God and religion 
were chiefly preserved in the family of Shem, yet it is evident 
that some brandies of Ham's family, and probably of Japhet'g 



*2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 2 

too, preserved it for ?ome hundreds of year- : for Afeichivedek. a 
king ci the Canaanites in Abraham^ tim< -t of thf 

most hieh God : and Abimelech, a king <it" the Philistine -. 
God, and had a sense of religion; and both tin 
from Ham. ^» 



•Sect. II. Of .Abraham and Lot, Ishmael and Isaac. 

18 ^. Who was the most famous man of SI 
posterity in these early ages ? 

Ji. Abraham the son of Terah, of the posterity of 
Eber. Gen. xi. 27* 

19 Q. What was the first remarkable thing recorded 
of Abraham ? 

Ji. He left his own native country to go wheresoev- 
er God called him. Gen- xii. 1,4. 

20 Q. Whence did Abraham come, and whither did 
he go? 

.i. He came first from Chaldea, then from Haran ; 
and he went to dwell among strangers in the land ot 
Canaan. Gen. xi. 31, and xii. 5. Ileb. xi, 8, 9. 

21 Q. Who came with Abraham into Canaan? 

Ji. Lot, his brother's son ; and they brought with 
them all their substance and their household. Gen. xiii. 5. 

22 Q. Did they continue to dwell together J 

Ji. Their cattle and servants grew so numerous, that 
they parted for fear of quarrelling, and Abraham gave 
Lot his choice to go to the east or the west Gen. xiii. 1 , 9, 

23 ({. Where did Lot sojourn ? 

A. He chose the east, and pitched his tent towards 
Sodom, because it was a well-watered and fruitful coun- 
try, ver. 10 — 12. 

24 ({. What Calamity betel Lot here? 

Ji. He was carried away captive, together with other 
Inhabitants of Sodom, when the king of Sodom was 
routed in battle by his enemies. Gen. \iv. 

25 ({ What did Abraham do on this occasion ? 

*i. He armed his own three hundred and 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 13 

eighteen men, who pursued the conquerors and routed 
them, and brought back Lot and the other captives with 
their goods, Gen. xiv. 14 — 16. 

26 ((. When Abraham returned from the slaughter 
of the kings, what honour was done him ? 

»i. Melchisedek, the king of Salem, and the priest of 
the most high God, met him, and pronounced a blessing 
upon him. Gen. xiv. 18-— 20. 

27 Q. What civility did the king of Sodom shew 
Vbraham ? 

Ji. He offered him all the goods that Abraham had 
recovered from the former conquerors, but Abraham re- 
fused to accept them. ver. 21, &c. 

28 Q. What became of Sodom afterwards^ 

A. It was burnt by fire and brimstone from heaven, 
together with Gomorrah, and other cities, because of the 
abominable wickedness of their inhabitants. Gen. xix. 
24. 

29 Q. W'as there nobody to plead with God to 
spare them ? . 

Jl. Yes ; Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom, 
and God would have dene it> had there been but ten 
righteous men in all the city. Gen. xviii. 23—33. 

30 Q. How. did Lot escape ? 

Jl. The two angels, which were sent to destroy 
Sodom, persuaded him to flee away with his family first. 
Gen. xix. 15. 

31 Q. How many of his family escaped this judg- 
ment ? 

Jl. Only himself and his two daughters, for his two 
ssns-in-law refused to remove. Gen. xix. 14* 

32 Q. W r hat became of Lot's wife? 

A. She went with him part of the way, but when she 
looked back, hankering after Sodom, she was struck 
dead immediately, perhaps with a blast of that lightning 
which burnt Sodom, and she stood like a pillar of salt,, 
Gen. xix. 26. 

33 Q. Was Lot a religious man r* 

A. Yes ; and his righteous soul was daily vexed With 
ttie wicked conversation of the men of Sodom. 2 Pet. ik 



14 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, ». 

34 Q. Did he maintain his righteous character evtf 
afterwards ? 

A. He once was enticed into the sin of drunk* : 
and then he let his two daughters lie with him and a 
him. Gen. xix. 30, &c. 

35 Q. Had Lot any children by this sinful action ? 
Ji. Yes; Moab was the son of one daughter, and 

Ben-ammi of the other; and they were afterwards the 
fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, who proved to 
be sore enemies of God's people. Gen. xix. 37, 38. 

36 Q. Thus ends the nistory of Lot and Sodom : let 
us return now to Abraham : in what part of the country 
did he dwell ? 

Ji. When he removed from Lot he went toward the 
west, and travelling on toward the southwest, he sojourn- 
ed in the land of Abimelech. Gen. xx. 1. 

37 Q. Who was Abimelech ? 

Ji. He was king of Gerar in the country of the Phi- 
listines. Gen. xx. 2, xxi. 32. 

38 Q. What did Abimelech do at Abraham's coming: 
Ji. He took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into hi^ h(A|8€ ; 

but being warned of God, he restored her 
Gen. xx. 2, 6, 14. 

39 Q. How came Abimelech to take Abraham'- 
wife ? 

A. Because she was a beautiful woman, and Abra- 
ham did not call her his wife, but his sister : and bv this 
means he exposed her to be taken bv other men. 
Gen. xx. 2. 

40 Q. What sons had Abraham : 

A. The two chief were Ishmael and Isaac Gen. 
xxv. 9. 

41 Q. What was Ishmael ? 

A. He was the son of Abraham bv Hagar his servant 
maid. Gen. xvi. 15. 

42 Q. How came Abraham to take his maid to be 
his concubine : 

A. God had promised him a son, ami he thought his 
wife Sarah was too old to have a child, and therefore by 
her advice he took Hagar. G m. xvi. 



Sect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 15 

43 Q. What became of Ishmael ? 

A. Abraham, bv the command of God, turned Ishma- 
el and his toother out of his house into the wilderness, 
because they mocked and abused his younger son Isaac. 
Gen. xxi. 9, &c. 

44 Q. Did Ishmael perish in the wilderness ? 

A. The angel of God appeared to Hagar, and shew- 
ed her a spring of water, when they were dying with 
thirst: and Ishmael grew up to be a great man, and the 
father of a large nation. Gen. xxi. 16— 20, and xxv. 16. 

45 Q. Who was Isaac's mother ? 

A. Isaac was the son of Abraham, by Sarah his wife, 
according to the promise of God, when they were both 
grown old. Gen. xsd. 1, &c, Rom. ix. 7, 8. 
° 46 Q. Why is Abraham called the father of the 
faithful, i. e. of the believers ? 

A. Because he believed the promises of God against 
all probable appearance, and was a pattern to other be- 
lievers in all ages. Gen. xv. 16. Rom. iv. 11,12. 

47 Q. What were the three chief promises which 
God gave Abraham? 

A. (1.) That he should have a son when he was a 
hundred years old. (2.) That his children should pos- 
sess the land of Canaan, when he had not ground enough 
to set his foot on there. And (3.) that all the families 
of the earth should be blessed in him and his offspring, 
when he was but a private person. Gen. xvii. 8, 16, 17 3 
and xii. 3. Jets vii. 5. 

48 Q. What did this last promise mean ? 

A. That Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, should 
come from his family. Gal. iii. 8, 16. 

49 Q. What did God appoint to Abraham for a to- 
ken of these promises and this covenant, and of his own 
acceptance with God ? 

A. He commanded him and all his sons to be cir- 
cumcised in all generations. Gen. xvii. 7 — 10. Rom. 
iv. 11. 

50 Q. What was the religion of Abraham ? 

A. The same with the religion of Adam after the fall 
in Chap. I. Q. 30, and the religion of Noah under Chap, 



16 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. B. 

II. Q. 6, with the addition of circumcision, and the ex- 
pectation of Canaan to be given to his -red, as a type <»i 
heaven; and a trust in the promise of the Saviour, who 
should spring from him, and bless all nations. 

JWe. This wu<= called the Abraham) 
but it was confined to the family of Abraham in thi 
of it; with those temporal precepts and ; 
sion and the inheritance of Canaan : tn ipirituaJ 

sense of it, it r I man ; and l. I 

their father. Horn. iv. 16, 17. 

51 Q. How did Abraham further, and most eminent* 
! v shew his obedience to God : *■ 

Jl* In his readiness to offer up liis son Isaac in sa- 
crifice to God's command. Gen, xxii. H. 

52 Q. And did he oiler him in sacrifice ? 

«$. No; God withheld his hand, and sent a ram to 
be sacrificed in his stead. Gen. xxii. tS. 

55 Q. What farther favours did Abraham receive 
from God? 

Jl. God visited him and conversed with him as a 
friend several times in a visible manner, and changed 
his name from Abram to Abraham. Gen. xv. and xvii. 
and xviii. James ii. c 23. 

54 Q. What is written concerning Sarah, Abra 
wife ? 

Jl. She believed God's promise, and had a - 
ninety Years old, and her name 
Sarai to Sarah. Gen, xvii. 15, 17. Heb. x ; . 

JVWe. Som Idition 

c f the Hebrew It tt< r h t • 

- ;i new relal 
think it to be a pari of the w< rd / 1 
filude ; because God promised in 
fhein wh< ii he • 

; .) Q. Whal is recorded coi 

J. Me feared the God of his father Abraham, lie had 
frequent visions of God, anil went out into 
meditate or pray, and offered - 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 17 

56 Q. Who was Isaac's wife ? 

A. His father Abraham sent afar, and took a wife 
for him, even Rebecca, out of his own family in Meso- 
potamia, because lie was unwilling he should marry 
among the wicked Canaanites whom God had doomed 
to destruction. Gen. xxiv. 3, 4, 51, &c. 

57 Q. What children had Isaac? 

A. Two sons, Esau and Jacob. Gen. xxiv. 25, 26. 



Sect. III. Of Esau and Jacob, and their Posterity. 

58 Q. What was Esau ? 

A. He was Isaac's eldest son, bred up to hunting 
rather than husbandly, who sold his birth right to his 
brother for a mess of pottage when he was faint with 
hunting. Gen. xxv. 31, 33. 

59 Q- What was Jacob ? 

A. The youngest son of Isaac, who by his mother's 
contrivance obtained his father's blessing, though not in 
a right way. Gen. xvii. 27. 

60 Q. 'By what treachery did he obtain the blessing? 
A. When his father Isaac was old and his eyes dim, 

by order of his mother, he put on Esau's clothes, and told 
his father he was Esau his eldest son. Gen. xxvii. 

61 q. How did Esau take this ? 

A. Esau threatened to kill him, and therefore he left 
his father's house. Gen. xxvii. 41, 43. 

62 q. Whither did Jacob go ? 

A. To Laban the Syrian, who was his mother's broth- 
er. Gen. xxviii. 2, 5. 

63 Q. "What did he meet with in going thither ? 

A. He lay down to sleep on a stone at Bethel, and 
had a holy dream of God, and of angels there ascending 
and descending between heaven and earth. Gen. xviii. 
12—14. 

64 Q. What did he do in Laban's house ? 

A. He kept his uncle Laban's cattle, and he married 
•Vis two daughters Rachel and Leah, Gen. x^ix. 15, &c. 



18 SCRIPTCRE HISTORY. Ck 

65 Q. How lonp; did he live there r 

Ji. Twenty years, till he had <n>t a large 
children and servants, much cattle aud •„•■ 
Gen. xxx. and xxxi. 41. 

66 Q. What did Jacob meet with in his return to 
Canaan ? 

Ji. He had a vision, of God as of a man wrestling 
with him. Gen. xxxii. 24, &c. 

67 Q. Why was Jacob called Israel ? 

Ji. Because he prayed and prevailed with God for a 
blessing, while he- wrestled with him in the form of a 
man. Gen. xxxii. 28. Hos. xiii. 4. 

68 Q. How did his brother Esau meet him ? 

Ji. God turned Esau's heart, so that he met him with 
great civility, though ha came out witli four hundred 
men (as Jacob feared) to destroy him. Gen, xxxii. 

§9 Q. What posterity had Esau ? 

A. A large posterity, who chiefly inhabited Mount 
Seir, and were called Edomites, from their father's other 
name Edom. Gen. xxxvi. 8, 9. 

70 Q. How many sons had Jacob ? 

A. Twelve, and "they were called the twelve Patri- 
archs, because they were the fathers of the twelve tribes 
of Israel. Gen. xxxv. 22. Acts vii. 8. JWmb. i. 

71 Q. W r hat are their names ? 

A. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Ze- 
bulon, the sons of his wife Leah; Joseph and Benjamin, 
the sons of his wife Rachel ; Dan and Napthali, the 
sons of Bilhah his concubine ; and Gad and Asher the 
sons of Zilpah his concubine. Gen. xxxv. 23 — 

72 Q. Who were the most famous of all th- - 
sacred history ? 

A. Levi, Judah, and Joseph. 

73 Q. What is there remarkable concerning Levi ? 
A* The priesthood, and other things relating to the 

worship of God, were committed to Levi's family in fol- 
lowing times. Dent. xxii. 9, and xxviii. 8, 10. 

74 Q. But did not Levi do a very wicked thing in 
killing the Shechemites ? 

/. Yes j he and his brother Simeon dealt very 



Sect 3. 3CREPTURE HISTORY. V) 

treacherously and cruelly with them, in slaving them 
after they had made a covenant of peace with them. Gen. 
xxxiv. 

75 Q. How did Jacob bear this? 

A. He severely reproved them for it, and upon his 
death-bed, by the spirit of prophecy, pronounced a curse 
upon them, that they should be scattered abroad tiuough 
all the land of Israel. Gen. xxxiv. 30, and xlix. 5. 

76 Q. Was this curse- executed ? 

A. Yes, in some measure ;. for the Simeonites as well 
as Levites had their possessions scattered among all the 
tribes of Israel ; but the curse of the Levites was light- 
ened by their having the priesthood given them. Josh- 
ua xxi. 

77 Q. What is there remarkable relating to Judah P 
A. He dealt very basely with his daughter in law 

Tamar, and committed shameful wickedness. Geru 
xxxviii, 

78 Q. Did God forgive this sin ? 

A. Yes ; God forgave it so far as not to punish his 
posterity for it : for the kingdom and government in fu- 
ture ages was promised chieify to his family. Gen. xlix. 10, 

79 Q. What is there remarkable said of Joseph? 

A. His brethren sold him for a slave into Egypt, 
where he became the ruler of the land. Gen. xxxvii. 27* 
andxlii.40. Actsv'u. 9.10. 

80 Q. Why did they sell him ? 

A. For envy, because his father loved him, and made 
him a coat of many colours, and because he dreamed 
that they should bow down to him. Gen. xxxvii. 3, 4. 

81 Q. What was his first station in. the land of 

Egypt- ■ 

A. He was a servant in the house of Potiphar, a 
captain of the guard, and by a false accusation of his 
master's wife he was cast into prison, though he was en- 
tirely innocent. Gen. xxxix. 

82 Q. What was the occasion of his advancement? 
A. He interpreted the dreams of some of his fellow 

prisoners, and when the interpretation proved true, then 
he was sent for to court to interpret the kind's dream> 
Gen.xh, b 



20 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. u, 

83 Q. And did this raise Joseph to be the ruler of 
Egypt ? 

A. Yes; he was thus advanced, because lie foretold 
the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, 

which Pharaoh the kin'j; dreamed of under two different 
emblein> of good and bad ears of corn, and of seven fat 
kine and seven lean ones. Gen. xli. 39. 

84 (f. How did Joseph cany himself towards his 
brethren i!i his advancement? 

A. In the famine they came down to buy corn in 
Egypt, and bowed down to him, according to his di 
but he treated them roughly at first, as a great hud and 
a stranger, till their consciences smote them for their 
former cruelty to him. Gph. xlii. 7, 19, 21. 

85 ^. Did he then revenge himself upon them ? 

A. No ; but he made himself known to them with 
much affection and tenderness. Gen. xlv. 

86 Q. How did he manifest his forgiveness of them ? 
A. lie sent for his father, and bid his brethren brine 

all their families into Egypt, and he maintained them all 
during the famine. Grew, xlv. 4 — 7. 

87 Q. Did Jacob die in Egypt? 

A. Yes; but according to his desire his bodj 
carried up to the land of Canaan, and was buried there, 
in the faith of the promise, that his seed should possess 
that land. Gen. xlix. 29, and 1. 13, 

88 Q. What became of the families of Israel 
Joseph's death ? 

A. They were made slaves in Egypt, and a new long, 
who knew not Joseph, sorely oppressed them, and 
deavoured to destroy them. Exod. i. IS, 14, Ik 

89 Q. Did Joseph, ns well as his father, profeai am 
hope of his family and kindred returning from Egypt in 
following times P 

A. Yes : he died in faith of the promise made ' 
fathers, that they should <;o and possess the land oi 
naan ; and therefore he required them, when they 
to carry up his bones and bury them in t 1 :* 
land. fee*. 1. 24, 



Chap. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 



CHAPTER III. 

The Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, and of 
J\foses and Aaron. 

1 Q. Who delivered the Israelites from the slavery, 
of Egypt ? 

■& " God heard their cry. and delivered them by the 
hand of Moses and Aaron. ■ Exod. iii. 9, 10, and xii. 3L 
Josh. xxiv. 5, 6. 

2 Q. Who was Moses ? 

A. He was one of the family of Levi among the 
people of Israel, who was wonderfully saved from drown- 
ing when he was an infant. Exod. ii. 10. 

3 Q. How was he in danger of drowning ? 

A. Pharaoh the king of Egypt had commanded every 
male child to be drowned ; and when Moses's parents 
&buld hide him no longer, they laid him by the bank of 
the river in an ark or box of bulrushes. E.vod. i. 2 V 2, 
and ii. 3. 

4 Q. How was he saved ? 

A. The kiift; of Egypt's daughter found him by the 
river, and pitied the child, and brought him up for her 
own son. Exod. ii. 5, 6, 9. 

5 Q. Did he continue a courtier in Egypt? 

A. No; for when he was grown a man he shewed 
pity to his kindred in their slavery, and slew an Egyp- 
tian; which being known, he iled from the court of Pha- 
raoh. Exod.. ii. 1 1 — 14. 

6 Q. Whither did he fly ? 

A. To the land of Midian, where he kept the sheep 
of Jethro a priest, or prince of the country, and married 
his daughter. Exod. ii. 1-1, and iii. 1. 

7 Q. How did God appoint him to deliver Israel ? 
Jl. God appeared to him in a; burning bush, as he was 

"keeping Jethro's sheep, and sent him to Pharaoh, to re- 
quire the release of Israel his people. Exod, iii. 1 — IS. 

8 Q What was his oilice afterwards ?. 

(%. God made him the leader and lawgiver of the- 



22 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chtp»3. 

people of Israel. E.vod. xxxii. 34. Unit, wxiii. 4, 5. 
John i. 17. 

9 ^. Who was Aaron ? 

J. He was brother to Moses, and he was Bent of God 
to meet liim as he was returning to Egypt, and appoint- 
ed to assist him in his dealing with Pharaoh the kins. 
E.vod. iv. 14, 27. 

10 Q. What was Aaron's office afterwards? 

Ji. He was made the first high priest of Israel. 
JBxod. xxviii. 1. Hcb. v. 1, 4. 

11 ((. How did Moses and Aaron prove to Ph 

and to the people, that God had sent them upon this 
errand r 

Ji. They had power given them from God him-- 
work several miracles, or si^us and wo 
the people of Israel, as well as Pharaoh, that they had a 
commission from God. E.vod. iv. 1 — 10. 

12 ((. What was the first miracle r 

Ji. Aaron cast down his rod, and it because a serpent; 
and when Pharaoh's conjurors did so too, 
swallowed theirs all up. E.vod. vii. 9 — 1 ?. 

13 Q. What did Moses and Aaron do further to de- 
liver that people ? 

Ji. Upon Pharaoh's refusal to let the people of] 
go, they brought ten miraculous plagues upon flic kin^, 
and upon all the land, by the authority and power of 
God. E.vod. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. and xiv. 10, &c. Pmlm 
cy. 26, &c 

14 Q. What were these ten pla!_ rl 

J. (I.) Water turned into blood. (0. \ 
Lice. (4.) Flies. (5.) Murrain among 
and blisters on man and beast. (7.) Thunder, lightning 
and hail. (8.) Locusts. (9.) Thick darkness, 
first-born slain. 

13 q. Were Pharaoh and his people witling to re- 
lease the Israelite* 

Ji. Yea : when they saw tin 
stroyed ; for there was not a 

not one dead : then they hastened them out, and lent 
them jewels and gold to adorn then 
ship. E.vod. xii. 29 — 36. 



Chap: 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 23 

16 Q. How great was the number of the Israelites 
that went out of Egypt ? 

A. Six hundred thousand men, besides children, and 
all went on foot. Exod. xii. 37. 

17 ^. Which way did the Israelites bend their 
journey ? 

A. Toward the wilderness of the Red Sea, as they 
were guided by God himself marching before them in a 
pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 
Exod. xiii. 18, 21. 

18 Q. But did not Pharaoh and his army pursue 
them after they were gone ? 

A. Yes ; they repented that they let them go, and 
pursued them to the Red Sea, resolving to destroy 
them. Exod. xiv. 5, and xv. 9. 

1 9 Q. How did the people of Israel, who came out 
of Egypt, get over the Red Sea ? 

A. When they were in distress, with the Red Sea 
before them, and Pharaoh's army behind them, they cried 
unto God, whereon Moses bid them stand still, and see 
the salvation of the Lord. Then, at the command of 
God, Moses struck the sea with his rod, and divided the 
waters asunder, and the children of Israel went through 
upon dry land, Exod. xiv. 10, 16, 21, 29. 

20 Q. What became of the Egyptians that followed 
them ? 

A. God troubled their army, retarded their march, 
and when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea 
again, the waters returned upon them, and they were 
drowned. Exod. xiv. 28. 

21 Q. Whither did the. children of Israel go then ? 
A. They went wheresoever God guided them by the 

pillar of cloud, and the pillar of fire ; and they moved, 
and they rested, according to the rest or the motion of 
Ihis cloud. Exod. xiii. 21. Numb. x. 33, 34. 

22 Q. How did the people of Israel, who had seen 
all these wonders, behave themselves in their travels ? 

A. At every new difficulty, when they wanted meat 
or water, or met with enemies, they fell a murmuring 
against God and Moses. Exod. xv. 23. 24, and xvi. 2, 3. 



SCRIPTURE HISTOR*. (Imp. :,. 

23 ({. How long was it before they came t<» the 
place that God had promised them? 

A. They wandered forty years in the wildernest 
their sins. Numb. xiv. S2, S& See Psalm lxxviii. 

24 q. What did they cat all the time? 

A. God ted them with manna, or bread that came 
down every night from heaven, and lav all round the 
camp. E.vod. xvi. 4, 15, 35. J)eut. viii. 3. 

25 O. What did they drink in the wilderness ? 

A. Moses smote the rock with his rod, and wii<r 
gushed out in a river, which altended them in their jour- 
nies. E.vod. xvii. 5, 6. 1 Cor. x. 4. A'umb. xx. 11. 
Nehem. ix. 15. 

26 Q. What did they do for clothes during thesf 
forty years ? 

A. Their raiment waxed not old, nor did their 
wear out. Dent. xxix. 5. 

27 Q. Did Moses govern all this people himself r 

A, By his father in law Jcthro's advice, and by God's 
approbation, he appointed officers and judu r e> over the 
people for common cases, but every harder cause 
brought to Moses. E.vod. xviii. 

28 Q. You told me, that Moses was a lawgivi 
the Jews or people of Israel ; pray how came he l>\ 
wise and holy laws which he gave them r 

A. He conversed with God fourscore days and nighti 
in Mount Sinai, and there he learnt them. / 
12—18. Deut. ix. 9, 18. 

Note. The people of Israel were not all nil af- 

ter the return from the captivity of Babylon, the chiel i 
1hn.«e who returned being of the tribe "f Judah: yet in all later 
histories, the Israelites art- so universally called 
have sometimes used this name even in the < nrli< 
history. — It is plain, that M 
Sinai, and that forty 

and finding the id"! -.: \> n calf, t>r..i; 

tin- law which God wroti ! called him d 

second time, and wrote the law on u< v 
xxxiv. 1—6, 28. 

29 ({. What token was there that Most 

with God ? 



(hap. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 25 

/J. The face of Moses shone so that the people could 
not converse with hirfv, till he put a veil on his face. 
Exod. xxxiv. 29 — 35. 

50 Q. What sort of laws were those which Moses 
gave the Jews ? 

J. Moral laws, ceremonial laws, and judicial laws, 
and all by God's own appointment. Exod. xxiv. 12. 
Isa. xxxiii. 22. 

31 Q. What was the religion of the Jews, or Israel- 
ites? . 

A. The same with the religion of Adam after his* fall ; 
of ISoah, and Abraham, in Chap. II, Q. 50, with these 
additions given by Moses, 

Xote. This is called the Jewish, or Mosaical, or Leviti- 
cal dispensation ; and herein God may be considered under 
three characters. 

1. As the Universal Creator of all men, and as the Lord 
God and Ruler of the souls and consciences of all, and of the 
Jews, as a part of mankind : and under this character he re- 
quired of the Jews all the duties of the light of nature, or the 
moral law, which obliged all mankind as well as them, and 
that under every dispensation. 

2- He may be considered as the God of Israel, or the Jews, 
as a church outward and visible ; whom he had separated from 
the Test of the nations to be a peculiar people to himself ; and 
so he prescribed to them peculiar forms of worship, and special 
ceremonies and rites of religion, as tokens of their duty and 
his grace. 

3. He may be considered as the proper King of the Israel- 
ites as a nation, and as they were his subjects, and so he gave 
them judicial or political laws, which relate to their govern- 
ment, and the common affairs of the civil law. — But these three 
sorts of laws are not kept so entirely distinct as not to be inter- 
mingled with each other. It is all indeed but one body of laws, 
and given properly to that one people under different dispensa- 
tions. And on this account it is sometimes hard to say, under 
which head some of these commands of God must be reduced. 
Some commands relating to their houses and garments, their 
plowing and sowing^ and the prohibition of particular sorts of 
food, are naturally ranked under their political laws; and yet 
there is plainly something ceremonial or religious designed or 
included in them. Again, that which we call the moral law, or 
the ten commands, is for the most part the law of nature, but it 
has something of a positive institution, ceremonial or ritual, in 
4 



26 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 4. 

it. This n vrrv plain in the fourth comii - tenth 

day sabbath: But jn this catechism it was 

into too nice inquiries on this subject. The threi 

this distinction of the Jewish laws in th 

.enough, though they happen to be intermingled in some . 



CHAP. IV. 

Of the Moral Laic. 

1 Q. Which was the moral law jjiven to the J 

.3. All those commands which relate to their beha- 
viour, considered as men, and which lie scattered up and 
down in the books of Moses ; but they are as it wert re- 
duced into a small compass in the ten commandments. 

2 Q. How were these ten commands first nren them } 
Ji. By the voice of God on Mount Sinai, three months 

after their coming out of Egjprt : and it was attended 
with thunder, and fire, and smoke, and the sou ml of i 
trumpet. Exod. xix. 18, 19, and xx. 1 — 18. 

3 ^. Where was this moral law more especially 
written ? 

Ji. In the two tables of stone which God wrote with 
his own hand, and save to Moses. Bxod. xxiv. 1 -?, 
chap, xxxii. 15, 16, and xxxiv. 1. 

4 Q. What did the first table contain ? 

Ji. Their duty towards God in the fr.-st four coin- 
mandments. See Exod. xx. 5 — 11. DeuL \ 

5 Q. What are these four first commands 

•& (1.) Thou shalt have no other eods before me. 

(2.) Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven im- 
age, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, 
Or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in I 
■der the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, 
Jior serve them ; for 1 the Lord thy God am a je 
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the child- 
ren, unto the third and fourth generation of them that 
hate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them thai 
love me, and keep my command 



Chap. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY.- 2? 

(3.) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy 
God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless 
that taketh his name in vain. 

(-!.) Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six 
days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but the sev- 
enth day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou 
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daugh- 
ter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy 
cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates ; for in 
six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and 
all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : where- 
fore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

6 Q. Is God's resting from his works of creation the 
seventh day, the only reason why the Jews were requir- 
ed to keep the sabbath or day of rest ? 

Ji. This latter part of the fourth commandment, 
namely, the reason of the sabbath, taken from the crea-" 
tion, and God's resting on the seventh day, is entirely 
omitted in the rehearsal of the ten commands in the 
fifth or Deuteronomy: and instead of it the Jews are re- 
quired to observe this command of the sabbath or holy 
rest, for another reason, namely, because they were 
slaves in Egypt, and God gave them a release and rest 
from their slavery. Deut. v. 15. Though it is possible 
both reasons of this command might be pronounced from 
Mount Sinai, and only that mentioned in Exodus be writ 
on the tables of stone. * 

7 ({. What did the second table contain ? 

»?. Their duty toward man in the side last command- 
ments. Exod. xx. 12 — 17. Deut v. 22. 

8 ^. What are these six last commandments ? 

Ji. (5.) Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy 
days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God 
giveth thee. 

(6.) Thou shalt not kill. 

(7.) Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

(8.) Thou shalt not steal. 

(9.) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbour. 

(10.) Thou 6halt not covet thy neighbour's house; 



28 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( i 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man 
servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor hi- if 
any thing that is thy neighbou: 

9 Q. Were these ten commands given to the . 
only, or are they given to all mankind r 

jr. Almost everything contained in these coma 
is taught by 1he light of nature, and obliges all mankind : 
the honour that is done them in the New Testament in- 
timates this also. Hut there are several expression! in 
these laws by which it plainly appears, they were pecu- 
liarly appropriated and suited to the Jewish nation in 
their awful proclamation at Mount Sinai. 

10 Q. Wherein does it appear so plainly that these 
laws, as given at Mount Sinai, have a peculiar reap 

the Jews r 

J. This is evident in the preface, where God enga- 
ges their attention and obedience by telling them, that he 
^Cl!s the Lord tticir God, who brought tliem out of the 
land of Egypt. Tins appears also in the fuurth com, 
mand, where the seventh day is the appointed sabbath 
for the Jews : and in J)eut. v. 15, God <_ r ive> tins i 
for the sabbath, that he brought them out if Egypt with 
a mighty hand. It is yet further manifest in the tilth 
commandment, where the promise of hug lif> in the 
land, literally refers to the land of Canaan which God 
gave to that people : that thy days may be long in t In- 
land which the Lord thy Hod givetk thn>. iel,a« i- 
before intimated, the citation of them by the apostles in 
the New Testament as rules of our duty, doth plainly 
enforce the enervation of them s;> tar on the com 
<es of Christians. 



CHAP. V. 

Of the Ceremonial Law of the ./. 

1 (£. What was the ceremonial law : 
J. All those commands which seem to have some 
religious design in them, especially such as related to 



Secil. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 29 

their cleansings from any defilement, and their peculiar 
forms of worship. 

Note . I have hinted before, that several of the political laws, 
which were given to the Jews bj God as their King, have some- 
thing ceremonial in them ; and they were designed to be 
emblems, type*, or figures of some spiritual parts of religion. 
There were also some parts of their ceremonies of purification, 
and their rites of religious worship, which have a political as- 
pect, and were prescribed by God as King of their nation. But 
I choose to rank all their purifying rites, and their rules of wor- 
ship, rather under this head of the ceremonial or religious laws, 
because their forms of purification do more plainly and eminent- 
ly typify or represent to us how much care the people of God 
should take to be separated and purified from every sin, and 
from the communion of sinners : and the Jewish rites of worship 
represent to us, by wav of type or emblem, that, spiritual and 
evangelic worship which should be paid to God, especially un- 
der the New Testament, as the Lord of souls and consciences ; 
as well as those blessings of the Gospel, which are brought in 
by Christ and the Holy Spirit, are represented hereby. 



Sect. I. Of the Ceremonies of Purification. 

3 {£. What were the chief rites or ceremonies ap- 
pointed for purification or cleansing among the Jews ? 

Ji. Washing with water, sprinkling with water or 
blood, anointing with holy oil, shaving the head of man 
or woman, together with various sorts of sacrifices, and 
some other appointments. Heb. ix. 10, 13, 19. Lev. xv. 
xvi. and xiii. 33. Numb. vi. 19: Exod. xl. 9. 

3 Q. What were those things or persons among the 
Jews which were required to be purified ? 

J. All persons, houses or buildings, garments, or 
other things, which were set apart for the service of God % 
and all such as had been defiled by leprosy, by touching 
human dead bodies, or the carcases of any unclean ani- 
mal, or by other ceremonial pollutions. See Lev. xi. xii. 
xiii. xiv. and xv. Exod. xl. 9—15. Numb. viii. 6, and 
xix. 9, &c. 

4* 



30 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. 

4 Q. How were the persons or things of the gentiles 
to be purified for the use of the Israelites i 

A. The things which could endure thr fire," were to 

pass through the fire; other things were to be n 
with water. Numb. xxxi. 20 — ^4. And the maidens 
were to have their heads shaven, and their nails pared, 
before an Israelite could take any of them for a wife. 
Deut. xxi. 12. 

5 ^. Were there not some things which could n<>; 
be purified at all by any ceremonio ? 

A. All the several nations of Canaanites, and the 
males among other gentile captives in war, who had re- 
fused the offer of peace, were judged so unclean and 
polluted, that they were all to be destroved. Deut. vii. 
1 — 4. Josh.Vi. 21, vii. 26, and x. 28, 30, 32, -in, fc& 
Deut. xx. 13 — 17. And the houses and garments of tin- 
Israelites, where the leprous spots could not be taken 
away, were to be destroyed also. Lev. xiii. 57, and c/i 
xiv. 45, and those Israelites in whom the leprosy prevail- 
ed, were to be shut out of the camp as unclean. Lev. 
xiii. 45, 46. 

6 Q. Were there any crimes of real immorality oi 
impiety which could be taken away by any of these out- 
ward ceremonies of purification r 

A. The mere outward performance of any of these 
ceremonies did purify the persons defiled no further, 
than to set them right in their political state, as subjects 
under God as their King; and to cleanse them, as mem- 
bers of the Jewish visible church, from ceremonial defile* 
ment. Heb. ix. 13. The blood of bulla and of _ 
and the ashes of an heijer, sprinkling the umlran, asae- 
tifieth no further than to the purifying of the Jlsh. 
But Heb. 10. 4. It is not possible that the blood of bulls 
and goats should take away sins; that is, a- the 
committed against God as the Lord of their sou I 
consciences. 

7 Q. How then were the sins of the Jew- elea 

or pardoned, I mean their real immoralities and impie- 
ties against God, as the Lord of cons< i 

A. They obtained pardou of God according to the 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 31 

discovery of grace and forgiveness scattered up and 
down through all the five books of Moses, and especially 
according to the promises made, and the encouragements 
given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and in general to 
all those who sincerely repent of sin, and trust in the 
mercy of God, so far as it was then revealed, and to be 
further revealed in time to come. Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. 
Dent. iv. 29 — 51. Isa. lv. 7, &c. But this forgiveness 
is oming to the effectual atonement of Christ, which was 
to b€ made in clue time, and which took away sins past 
as well as to come. Horn, iii. 21, 24, 25, 26. 

8 Q. Did these outward rites of purification then 
do nothing towards the removal of their moral defile- 
ments or sins ? 

Ji. As their outward or ceremonial defilements were 
appointed to be emblems and figures of the spiritual or 
moral defilement of the soul by sin, so many of these 
ceremonies of purification, and particularly those by wa- 
ter and blood, were pledges and tokens to assure them 
that God would forgive sin; and they were also figures 
and emblems of the removal of moral defilement or 
sin from the souls of men by the atoning blood of Christ, 
and by the sanctifying spirit of God, which is represent- 
ed under the figure of clean water- See Heb. ix. and x. 

Note. The following question perhaps might come in pro- 
perly after the account of sacrifices ; But having here inquired 
whether the ceremonies of purification did any thing toward 
the removal of the moral defilement of sin, I thought it as 
proper to introduce it here, as a kind of objection against the 
foregoing answers. 

9 Q. But were there not some Jewish sacrifices and 
methods of purification and atonement, appointed for 
some real immoralities and wickedness, as when a man 
had committed a trespass against the Lord, by lying to 
his neighbour, by cheating or robbing him, or by swearing 
falsely, when he had found any thing that was lost, and 
withheld it from the owner? Lev. vi. 1 — 7. Is it not 
said, He shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, 
and the priest shall make an atonement for him before 
the Lord) and it shall be forgiven him? 



52 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. 

Ji. This trespass offering would set him right in- 
deed in tlw Bishl of God, ;ts Kiii'j; of the nation ;:. 
whose political laws the man had committed tin- 
pass; but it never was designed to free him froi 
guilt of his sin in the Bight of God .:- the Lord ol con- 
science, unless he repented of this sin in his heart, and 
trusted in the mercy ol' God bo far as it was 
that day ; for it is a certain truth, that tin blood <>f 
cannot take away sin. Heb. x. 1. 

I 

Sect. II. Of the Holy ! 

10 Q. Having*finished the rites of purificatioi 
us inquire now what were the most remarkable 
relating to their forms of public worship? 

A. These live, namely, holy persons, and holy > 
holy things, holy times, and holy actions. 

11 Q. "What mean you by calling all the* 

%J. I mean such persons, such places, such thing! 
such times and actions, as wore devoted to God and his 
worship, or appointed for his special service. • 
xvi. 5. Lev. xxi. 8, and xxii. 15. 

12 Q. Who might be called the holy persons among 
the Jews or Israelites ? 

•£. The priests and the Nazarites, and all the 1 . 
Lev. xxi. 1, 6. Numb. vi. 2, 8, and viii. 14, ; 
sometimes the whole nation are called holy. I 
xix. 6. 

13 ({. Who were appointed to be / n I Us ? 

Ji. First Aaron himself, and then the eldest of Aaron's 
family were appointed to be high priests in bu< < ession ; 
and the rest of his *ons and tneir posterity were the 
tipriests, provided they had no blemish in their bodies. 
Lev. xvi. 32, and xxi. 17. Exod. rxix. 30. A'amb. iii. 
5, 4, 10, 32, chap. iv. 16, chap. xvi. -40, and 

14 Q. How were they made priest 

J. They were solemnly separated at first to the 

S riot's office by anointings, and purifications, and sacri- 
ces. Lev. viii. 



Sect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. S3 

15 Q. "What was the business of the priests ? 

A. Their chief business was to offer sacrifices to the 
Lord, to burn incense before him in the holy place, to 
kindle the lamps, to do the Higher services of the sanc- 
tuary, and to instruct the people. Lev. i. 5, 7, 8, and ii. 
2. Numb. xvi. 40. Exod. xxx. 7. 

16 ^. What was the office of the high priest ? 

A. He was appointed to come nearer to God, even 
to enter into the most holy place, to do special services 
on tfie yearly day of atonement, to oversee all the pub- 
lic worship, and to judge among them, in many civil 
matters as well as religious. Acts, xxiii. 4, 5. Lev. xvi. 
A"nmb. iii. 4, 6. Veut. xvii. 

17 Q. Was there any work which the priests per* 
formed in common with the high priest ? 

A. All the priests were to teach the people their du- 
ty, to assist in judging of civil and religious matters, 
and bless the people in the name of the Lord. Deut. xvii. 
8 — 13, and xxi. 5. Numb. vi. 23. Mai. ii* 7. 

Note. The priests were appointed to give the sense of the 
law in civil as well as religious concerns, because the same God 
who was the object of their worship was also King of their na- 
tion. 

18 Q. Who were the Nazarites ? 

A. Men or women of any tribe who separated or de- 
voted themselves to the Lord for a time by a particular 
vow. Numb. vi. 

19 Q. What were the rules of a Nazarite's vow or 
separation ? 

A. He was to drink no wine nor strong liquor, to 
come at no dead body, nor to suffer any razor to come 
upon his head, but let his hair grow all the time, unless 
he fell under some ceremonial defilement. Numb. vi. 
5, 6, 9, &c. 

20 Q. How was his vow to be finished or ended ? 
A. By shaving his head at the door of the tabernacle, 

offering a sacrifice, and burning his hair in the fire of it. 
Numb.Yi. 13, 18. 

21 Q. Who were the Lzvites £ 



34 SCRIPTCRK HISTORY. (Lap. 5. 

A. All the tribe or familj of Levi, for ti 
ken into the service of God, instead of the first-born of 
all the tribes of Israel, whom God claimed as his own. 
Mmb. iii. 40, and viii. IS — 19. 

22 q. AVhy did God claim nil the first-born of 
Israel ? 

A. Because he saved them from the destroying an- 
gel, when he smote all the first-born of Egypt A'umb. 
viii. 14—18. 

23 Q. What was the business of the Levites ? I 

A. To wait on the priests in their office, and to do 
the lower services of the sanctuary or holy place. Numb. 
viii. 19, and iii. 4, 6\ 

24 Q. How were the Levites separated to the service 
of the sanctuary ? 

A. . By sprinkling water of purification on them, 
shaving their flesh, washing their garments, and t ; . 
pie laying their hands on them, as well as by several 
sacrifices. Numb. vi. 6 — 16. 



Sect. III. Of the Holy Places, particularly the 
Tabernacle. 

25 Q. Next to the holy persons let us inquire what 
were the holy places ? 

A. The tabernacle in the days of Moses, and the 
temple in the days of Solomon, each of which i> - 
times called the sanctuary. Exod. xxv. 8. I Chrou. 
xxii. 19. 

26 ((. What was the tabernacle ? 

A. It was a sort of moveable building, made of pil- 
lars and boards, set in sockets of silver, and fine linen 
curtains embroidered with cherubs, and coupled with 
loops and tacks of gold, that the whole might be t dcen 
to pieces, and carried with them in their journies. 
Exod. x\ \i. 

Xoif. When Mos< - I ad r c« i\i .1 full 
tabernacle, he cam< ad found the 



»ect.3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 3d 

people had been guilty of idolatry, in making a golden calf: 
(hen it is said, He took the tabernacle, and pitched it without 
the camp, and afar from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle 
of the Congregation : and every one that sought the Lord icent 
out to this tabernacle. This is supposed to be a little occasional 
tabernacle, made like a small chapel for present worship- for 
God resided there at the door of it in a cloudy pillar ; and Mo- 
ses went into this tabernacle and talked with God there. Exod. 
xxxiii. 6, 7, &c. But when the great tabernacle was finished, 
according to God's appointment, it stood not without the camp, 
as appears in the following question. 

27 Q. Where did the tabernacle stand when it was 
reared up ? 

Jl. It stood within a large space of ground which 
was called the court of the tabernacle, one hundred cu- 
bits long, and fifty cubits broad. Exod. xxvii. 9 — 18. 
and all the tribes pitched their tents round about it. 
Numb. ii. £■ 

28 Q. How was the court %£ the tabernacle en- 
closed ? 

Jl. It was enclosed by a row of pillars on each side, 
with curtains reaching from pillar to pillar. Exod. xxvii. 
9—18, and xl. 33. 

29 Q. How was the tabernacle covered ? 

Jl. With four vails or curtains; one of fine linen, 
one of goats hair ; the third was made of the skins of 
rams dyed red, and the fourth or outermost of badger 
skins to endure the weather. Exod. xxvi. 1 — 14. 

30 Q. Into what rooms was the tabernacle divided ? 
Jl. Into the holy place, where the priests entered to 

minister daily, and the most holy place, where none but 
the high priest entered, and that but once a year. Heb. 
*ix. 6, 7. 

31 Q. How was the holy place divided from the 
most holy? 

Jl. By a curtain or vail of fine linen of various 
colours embroidered with cherubs, and hung on four 
pillars overlaid with gold. Exod. xxvi. 31, 32, 34. 

32 Q. What was the temple ? 

Jl. A most glorious building of stone and timber, 
.raised near five hundred years afterward by king Solo- 



3G SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI 

mon, instead of this moveable tabernacle. 1 Chvon. 
xvii. 5, 11, T2. 1 Kings, vi. 1 
33 Q. Hut besides these hoi v places, (namely, the 

tabernacle and the temple) was not Jerusalem called the 
holy city ? 

Jl. Yes ; because God appointed the tabernacle in 
David's time to be removed to Mount Zion, and because 
the temple was built by Solomon on Mount Moriah, 
both which are included within the city* of Jerusalem. 
JVeh. xi. 1. 2 Chron. iii. 1, and 1 Kings, viii. 1. 



Sect. IV. Of the Holy Things, namely, Altars, 
Garments, Sacrifices, dj*c. 

34 Q. What yierc the holy things ? 

A. There was a great number of holy things made of 
gold and silver, brass ai^cl wood, and fine linen, and oth- 
er materials, both dry and liquid, which were used in 
the Jewish worship. 

35 Q. What were the chief or most considerable of 
these holy things ? 

A. The ark of the covenant, and the mercy-seat, the 
altar of incense, the table and the candlestick, the altar 
of burnt-offering, and the laver, the priests' garments, 
the sacrifices, the purifying water, the holy oil and holy 
perfume, together with vessels or instruments relal 
all or any of these. Ejcod. xxxi. 7 — 11. rji 

36 ({. What was the ark ? 

A. It was a chest or coffer made of wood, and i 
laid with gold, wherein the two tables of the law were 
kept, of God's own writing, with some other pre 
things, which were afterward laid up there. ExoiL \\\. 
10—16. Dent. x. 1—5. Jleb. ix. 4, 5. 

Note. The rod of Varon, which blossomed and brought forth 
almonds, and the pot of manna, which the I*ra< lit< 
in the wilderness, were both ] ;i id up in the rk f< r ;i )>• 
memorial of those miraculous events, Kxod. x\ i. 
Numb. xvii. 10. Heb. ix. 4. Though - 
suppose these were only pi rk, and Dot in it. 



" 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ST 

37 Q. What was the mercy-seat ^ 
,f It was the covering of the ark, and it was made of 
|purc gold, with a cherub of gold at each end of it, with 
Their wings* stretched out to cover the mercy-seat, and 
their faces towards each other, and toward the mercy- 
seat also. Exod. xv. 17 — 21. 

Note. A cherub is used in Scripture to denote some angelic 
power under the figure of some strange anfmal. It is described 
always like a living creature with wings, and probably with clo- 
ven feet too ; but whether it be rather in the shape of an ox, 
or of a man, the learned are not agreed. Perhaps it was some- 
times nearer to the one form, and sometimes to. the other. 

58 Q. Why was the covering of the ark called the 
mercy -seat ? 

Ji. Because God dwelt on it asn*k|^rod of Israel, 
between the cherubs, in a body of ligli^Jp. bright cloud, 
and appeared there as a God of mercy, accepting their 
sacrifices and their prayers. Eocod. xxv. 22.*» Lev. xvi. 
2. JVwmb. vii. 1 9. PsalAxxx. 1. This light was called 
by the Jews the Sheehinah, or the habitation of God, and 
sometimes the Glory. Rom. ix. 4. 

39 Q. Where were the ark and the mercy-seat plac- 



ed 



A. In the holy of holies within the vail. Exod. xxvi. 
33, 34. 

40 Q. What was the altar of incense ? 

JI. An altar made of wood, covered with gold, with 
a crown or ledge of gold round about it. Exod. xxx. 

41 Q. What was done here ? 

A. Incense or perfume or sweet spices was burnt and 
offered upon it every morning and evening. Exod. xxx. 
7,8. 

42 q. What was the table? 

Ji. The table was made of wood, covered with gold, 
and had a golden crown or ledge round it, with golden 
dishes and spoons. Exod. xxv. 23 — 30. 

43 Q. What was put on this table ? 

JI. Twelve cakes of bread were set there fresh every 
sabbath, and it was called shew-bread. Lev. xxiv. &-'■"■ 
5 



* 



58 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. 

44 Q. What was the candlestick ? 

A. It was made of pure gold, like a pillar or shaft. 
with three branches on each side, and thus it would hold 
one lamp on the top, and six lamps on the hit 
Exod. xxv. 31. 

45 Q. When were these lamps drcs-rd } 

A. Every morning and every evening they were 
dressed and supplied with pure oil, to burn always before 
the Lord. Exod. xxviii. 20, and xxx. 7, 8. 

46 Q. Where were the altar of incense, the table of 
-hew-bread, and the candlestick placed ? 

A. In the holy place. 

47 Q. What was the altar of burnt-offering f 
A. It was made of wood, and overlaid with b 

with shovels and fire-pans, and basons and other vessels 
belonging to it.^flpH. xxvii. 1 — 5. 

48 Q. WhIHKsThe use of it r 

A. All the burnt-offerings and sacrifices were offered 
.:ponit. Exod. xxxviii. 1. 

49 Q. What was one of the chief glories of it ? 

A. That the first sacrifice that was offered upon it, 
was burnt by fire from heaven, and that fire was always 
kept burning there for holy uses. Lev. ix. 24, and vi. L*. 

50 Q. What was the laver ? 

A. A vast vessel of brass containing a large quantitv 
of water. Exod. xxx. 1 8—2 1 . 

51 ^. What was the design of it ? 

A. For the priests to wash their hands and theii 
when they went to do service in the tabernacle. / 
xxx. 18—21. 

52 Q. Where did the altar of burnt-offering and the 
laver stand ? 

A. In the court of the tabernacle, under the open sky. 
Exod. xl. 29, 30. 

53 Q. Having seen the holy things that belong 
the tabernacle, let us now inquire what were the p 
holy garments? 

A." The common priests had a vest called an ephod, 
and some peculiar garments of fine linen appointed them 
when they ministered in the tabernacle; but r 
men(l of \}\a high priest were very peculiar, and < 



t 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 39 

ing rich and glorious. 1 &«?n.xxii. 18. Exod. xxxix. 1, 
27, 41. 

54 Q What were the high priest's chief garments ? 
Ji. These six or seven, namely, the ephod, with the 

breast-plate and girdle of curious work, the robe of the 
ephod, the embroidered linen coat, and the mitre, with a 
golden plate. Exod. xxviii. 4. 

Note here. The common priests had such a linen coat and 
girdle, but not embroidered, and such a mitre of linen, but 
without a golden plate. Exod. xxviii. 40. 

55 Q. What was the ephod? 

Ji. It was a sort of short vest without sleeves, to be 
worn above all the other garments ; it was made of fine 
linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet, interwoven with 
plates and wires of gold. Exod. xxxix. 2, 3. 

56 Q. W r hat was the breast-plate ? 

Ji. It was made of the same work as the ephod ; of 
a span square, with twelve jewels set in gold, ranked in 
four rows and fastened to the ephod. Exod. xxxix. 8, 
9, 10. 

57 Q. What was engraven on these jewels ? 

Ji. The twelve names of the children of Israel, that the 
high priest might bear them on his breast, as a memorial 
before the Eord. Exod. xxviii. 32, and xxxix. 14. 

58 Q. What was the Urim and Thummim on the 
breast-plate ? 

Ji. It was something whereby the mind and will of 
God were made known to the high priest, when he in- 
quired in cases of difficulty. Exod. xxviii. 30. Numb. 
xxvii. 31, 

Note here, on this ephod wns the Urim and Thummim in the 
breast plate, Avhich are sometimes called the oracle, because the 
high-priest by consulting this in any inquiry of importance 
found the mind of God, and told it to the inquirer. But we 
know not what this Urim and Thummim were, or by what signs 
or tokens, or in whafc,manner the mind of God was made 
known, on or by this bYeast-plate to the priest, whether the an- 
swer was given by a particular lustre on such letters on the 
breast-plate as spelled out distinct words, or whether by a voice 
from the ephod, or from the mercy-seat, is not hitherto agreed 
by the learned, and their conjectures about it are very various 
-and uncertain, 



40 8CRIPTURK HISTORY. Chap. 5. 

59 Q. What was the girdle of the ephod ? 

Jj. A curious linen girdle of embroidered work, to 
bind the ephod with other garments close to the body, 
E.vod. xxviii. 8, and some suppose it t<> hare been fasten- 
ed to the ephod. 

t ; ({. What was the robe of the ephod ? 

A. It was an upper garment woven all of blue, wi»!i 
wrought pomegranates, and golden bells hanging ob the 
hem, to make a sound when the high priest went into 
the holy place. E.vod. xxxix. 31, S3, &c. 

61 ({. What was the coat? 

• i. An under garment, closer to the body, raa< 
linen, and finely embroidered. Ejcud. xxviii. 4, 

62 Q. What was the mitre ? 

./. It was a cap of fine linen, with a plate of pure 
gold fastened on the fore part, of it with a lace of blue. 
E.vod. xxviii. xxxvi. and xxxix. £8, 30. 

(33 Q. What was engraved on this plate ? 

*1. Holiness to the Lord, because Aaron P 
bear the iniquity of their holy things, that they might be 
accepted before the Lord. Exod. xxviii. 
xxxix. 28, 30, 31. 

o4 Q. Thus much for the holy garnqp - 
us hear what are the sacrifices that were appointed, 
which are also numbered among the holy thi 

Ji. All sacrifices were offerings made to God : some 
were of corn, or wine, or oil ; and others v 
of living creatures, birds or beast-, which w< 
to be slain : But all 
kind, and without a blemish. Lev, sxii. 19, CO. 

Th< re :.- on 
:.], where a bollock or a lamb, vvl 
mall natural itn] 

iu the o • ■■; a mi . • 

plainly to require sacrifices without .» blen 
; ira think this text dj 



here were these sacrifices to be ofi'ered r 
other place but at the dour of the ' 
pie. Lev. xvil 8. 9. V 



G5 q. w 

J. Id no 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 41 

66 Q. But do we not read of Gideon and Samuel, 
and David, and Elijah, building altars, and offering sa- 
crifices in other places ? 

Jl. This was not lawful to be done but by prophets 
and inspired men, or at God's express command. 

67 Q. How were the sacrifices offered to God ? 

Jl. In some sacrifices the whole was burnt on the al- 
tar; in others, a part was burnt, and other parts were 
given to the priests for their subsistence : And in some 
sacrifices the person who offered them was allowed to 
partake also. See the seven first chapters of Leviticus. 

68 Q. What was done with the blood of the living 
creatures that were sacrificed ? 

Jl. The blood was never to be eaten, but to be pour- 
ed out or sprinkled, according to God's appointment; 
for the blood is the soul or life of the beast, and it is 
blood that maketh atonement for the soul or life of man. 
See Lev. xvii. 

69 Q. What was the design of sacrifices of corn, 
wine, and oil ? 

Jl. These were called meat-offerings and drink-of- 
ferings, and they were appointed chiefly to give thanks 
to God for mercies received. 

70 Q. What was the design of killing and burning 
living creatures in sacrifices ? 

Jl. Some might be designed perhaps by way of thanks- 
giving, but most of them were to make atonement for 
sins oi trespasses against the law of the Jews, or to pu- 
rify the unclean from some ceremonial defilement. Heb. 
ix. 7, 13, 22. 

71 Q. How could the killing and burning of living 
creatures make atonement for sin ? 

Jl. It is not possible (as St. Paul assures us) that 
the blood of bulls and goats should really take away sins 
committed against God, as the Lord of conscience : 
but when a man among the Jews had offended God, con- 
sidered as a King of the nation, by some civil trespass 
against the laws of the land, God was pleased to accept 
of the suffering or death of the beast, instead of the 
death or suffering of the man : or if a person fell into 
5* 



r: SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 

some ceremonial defilement, he was to be purifie 
the blood of a beast: and this was an emblem, 01 
and token lhat the sin of man deserved death, and that 
God, considered as the Lord of conw ience, would foi 

five sin, and would accept of the sufl'eringa and (hath oi 
is Son in due time, as a real sacrifice <>f atonement, in 
the room of the sianer. See Heb. ix. and x. 1 Pet. i 
19, and ii. 24. See Quest. 6, 7, 8, of this chapter. 

72 Q. With what fire were the sacrifices bumf r 
Ji. With fire which came down at first from he 

on the altar, and it was kept always burning on the altai 
for sacred uses, that is, to light the lamps, to burn in- 
cense and to kindle other fires in their worship. Lev- 
ix. 24, and vi. 1 3. 

73 Q. Who were those persons that dared to 
other fire in worship than what God had appointed r 

Jl. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, burnt in- 
cense with strange fire. Lev. x. 

74 Q. What was their punishment ? 

•5. There went out a fire from the Lord and de- 
voured them. Lev.\. 1, 2. 

75 Q. When were these various sacrifices to be 
offered ? 

A. Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, and on many 
special occasions, as God revealed to Moses. 

76 ^. What was the daily sacrifice/ 

A. A young lamb every morning and every evening 
for a burnt-offering, together with a meat-offering and 
drink-offering. Numb, xxvii. 3, &c. 

77 Q. What was the design of it ? 

Ji. To keep the people in remembrance that for then 
daily sins they needed continual atonement and pardon, 
and that God required continual thanksgiving for his 
daily mercies. 

78 Q. What were the weekly, monthly, and yearlv 
sacrifices? 

A. Such as were required on the several holy times, 
or the festivals and fasts which God appointed. 

79 Q. What was the special sacrifice which 
offered to make the purifying water, called the icu' 
separation ? 



sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 43 

Jl. A red heifer was to be slain and burnt without 
the camp, with her skin, flesh, and blood, with cedar- 
wood, hyssop and scarlet: and all the ashes were to be 
gathered and laid up in a clean place without the camp. 
Numb, xix. 

80 Q. How was the water of separation to be made r 
Jl. Some of the ashes of the burnt heifer were to be 

put in a vessel, and to be mingled with running water 
Numb. xix. 17. 

81 Q. What was the use of it ? 

Jl. To purify persons, or things, or places, which 
were defiled by touching a human dead body, or the 
bones of a man, or a grave, ver. 11 — 16, 

82 Q. How must it be applied to the defiled thing 
or person in order to cleanse them ? 

A. Some clean person must take hyssop and dip it 
in water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon the 
persons and vessels that were unclean, ver. 18. Psalm 
fi.7. Heb. ix. 13. 

83 Q. After the water of purification, tell me now 
what was the holy anointing oil ? 

Jl. It was a kind of liquid ointment, compounded of 
myrrh, cinnamon, and other rich spices, with oil-olive s 
by the art of the apothecary ; and there was none to be 
made like it on pain of death. Exod. xxx. 23 — 33. 

84 Q. What was the use of this holy oil ? 

Jl. All the vessels of the tabernacle were to be 
anointed with it, as well as Aaron the high priest, and 
his sons. Exod. xxx. 26. 

85 Q. What was the incense or holy perfume ? 

Jl. It was a composition of sweet spices with frank- 
incense ; nor was any to be made like it on pain of death. 
Exod. xxx. 34 — 38. 

86 Q. What was the use of this incense or perfume P 
Jl. Some of it was to be beat to powder, and laid be- 
fore the ark in the most holy place before the Lord. 
Exod. xxx. 36. And it was this incense of sweet spices 
which was burnt daily on the altar of incense. See 
Exod. xxx. 7, 8, 9, and xxxv. 15, and xxxvii. 29. 

87 q. What is the last sort of holy things relating 
to the Jewish worship ? 



44 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 5. 

J. The instruments and vessels which were used in 
their sacrifices, and in any other part of their religion : 
and they were made chiefly of gold, silver, bra- 
wood. 

83 Q. What instruments were made of gold S 
Jl. The golden censer belonging to the most holy 
place; the vessels belonging to the table of shew-bread ; 
namely, the bowls, and dishes, and spoons, and < i 
the vessels belonging to the candlesticks and lamps, 
namely, the snuffers and snuff-dishes, &c. J/ib. ix. 4. 
Exod. xxxvii. 16, 23. 

89 Q. What instruments were made of silver/ 

A. Besides the hooks and fillets of the pillars of the 
court, and the sockets of some of the pillars, and of all 
the boards of the tabernacle, which were of silver, I 
xxvi. 19, &c. and xxvii. 10, &c. there were chargers and 
bowls of silver, offered by the princes for the use of the 
sanctuarv, Numb. vii. 13, and trumpets of silver. JS'umb. 
X. 2. 

90 Q. What were the instruments of brass f 

A. Those which belonged to the altar of burnt offer- 
ing, namely, the pots, shovels, basons, and flesh-hooks, 
and fire pans, beside the brazen grate of net \s<»rk. 
Exod. xxviii. 3, 4. Also the common censers for in- 
cense were supposed to be vessels of brass fit to hold fire. 
•Yumb. xvi. 17, 37. 

91 Q. What were the instruments of wood? 

A. The staves fixed to the golden rings to bear both 
the ark, the incense altar, and the golden table, won- all 
made of shittim wood, and overlaid with gold. / 
xxxvii. 4, 15, 28, but the staves to bear the altar of burnt 
offering were overlaid with brass. Exod. xxxviii. 6. 



Sect. V. Of the Holy Times and Holy Actions. 

92 Q. Having surveyed the holy things of the . 
let us inquire what were the chief of the holy times or 
days appointed to them ? 



Sect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 45 

A. The weekly sabbaths, the new moons, the feast of 
the passover, the feast of pentecost, the feast of trum- 
pets, the great day of atonement, and the feast of taber- 
nacles. See most or all these holy times prescribed in 
Lev. xxiii. and the several sacrifices belonging to them 
in JVumb. xxviii. xxix. 

93 Q. What was the weekly sabbath ? 

A. The seventh day of every week was a day of ho- 
ly rest from all the common labours of life, and a day of 
assembling, or worship, which is called an holy convoca- 
tion. EarotL xx. 8, 10. Lev. xxiii. % 3. 

94 (£. What special public service was done on 
this day J 

A. The daily sacrifice was doubled, Numb, xxviii. 
9, and it is very probable, that some portions of the law 
were to be read, and perhaps expounded, chiefly by the 
priests and Levites, as was practised afterward in the 
synagogues, Acts xv. 21, and perhaps also this might 
be done, at least in the following times, on all days of 
holy convocation. 

95 Q. Why was this day sanctified or made holy ? 

A. Partly from God's resting from the work of crea- 
tion on the seventh day, and partly in remembrance of 
the Israelites' deliverance and rest from their slavish la- 
bours in Egypt. Exod. xx. 11. Deut. v. 15. 

96 Q. What was the feast of tlie new-moons? 

A, In the beginning of their months, which they 
reckoned by new-moons, they were to blow the silver 
trumpets, *and offer a special sacrifice. Numb. x. 10. 
xxviii, 11. 1 Sam. xx. 5. Psalm lxxxi. 3* • 

97 Q. What was the feast of the pass-over ? 

A. It was kept for seven days in their first month, 
Abib, by sacrificing a lamb, and eating it in every fami- 
ly, in remembrance of God's passing over the families of 
Israel, when he slew the first born in every house of the 
Egyptians.. Exod. xii. 18, &c. 

Here note, that the first month of the Jews, for all the com- 
mon affairs of life, which are called civil affairs, wasTisri, which 
in part answers to our September, and is the first month after 
the d*utumiial equinox : and it was always so to continue foi; 



40 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( 

civil affairs, as appears from Exod. xxiii. 16 > chap. xxiv. j 
Lev. xxv. 8 — 10. Bui as t<> ecclesiastical or r< i; 
the first month after the rernal equinox, called Abib, which an- 
swers partly to <>ur March, 

the year to the Jew.-, in memory of their u r r<- 
from Egypt. 

98 Q. In what manner was the feast of the pass- 
kept ? 

A. On the fourteenth day of the month, they were to 
. roast a lamb for supper, and to eat unleavened bread that 
evening, and seven days after. Exod. xii. 3, 8, 19. 
JWmb, xxviii. 16, 17. 

99 Q. Was there any particular worship performed 
on these seven days ? 

Jl. Yes; there were special sacrifices every d 
sheaf of the first ripe corn, that is, barley, 
fered to God; and on the first and la>t day then 
an holv convocation or assembly for worship, E.vod. xii. 
16. Numb, xxviii. 16, &c. Lev. xxiii. 10. 

100 Q. What was the feast of peutecos* f 

~ A. Fifty days or seven weeks after the first ripe corn 
(or barley) had been offered to God, there was a particu- 
lar sacrifice, and an holy assembly, and two loaves of the 
first fruits of wheat were to be ottered. Let?, xxiii. 
15—21. 

Note. This was called the feast of weeks. Dent. xvi. 1»J. 
compared with Exod. xxiii. 16. It n is b ibeaf of barley that 
was offered ;tt the paw-over, and t . 

cost, both of them as lir.-t fruits. Annotat. on 

£xod. xxiii. 16. 

101 Q. What was the reason of the feast of pente- 
cost r 

* Jl. It was kept as a thanksgiving for the beginning 
of wheat harvest, E.vod. xxiii. 16, and perhaps also in 
memory of the giving of the law at Mount Sinai ; 
which was seven weeks, or fiftj days after tl i 
and their coming out of Egypt. E.vod. w. 1, 11. 

Note. Thf-y went nut of Egypt the fourteenth dav 
iira mouth. Exod. xii. 17. 18. From thence to the beginning 



Sect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 4? 

of the third month is forty six or forty seven days, when they 
came to the Mount of Sinai. Exod. xx. 1, 2. Then they pu- 
rified themselves three days, ver. 11, 16, and God gave the law 
the fiftieth day : and this feast was called pentecost, which in 
the Greek signifies^/i/Vie//^ 

102 Q. What was the feast of trumpets ? 

Ji. The first day of the seventh month, blowing of 
trumpets was appointed with peculiar sacrifices, and an 
holy assembly, .Leu. xxiii. 24. Numb. xxix. 1, &c. 

103 Q. What are supposed to be the two chief de- 
signs of this feast of trumpets ? 

Jl. (1.) The seventh month having several holy days 
in it, it was a sort of sabbatical month, or month of sab- 
baths, and was to be begun with an extraordinary sound 
of trumpets. (2.)This was counted the first month, and 
first day of the year for civil matters, as the other was 
for things religious, and was to be proclaimed by sound 
of trumpet. See Pool's Annotat. on Lev, xxiii. 24, and 
xxv. 9. 

JS'ote. As' the seventh day was the sabbath, or day of rest 
from labour, so the seventh month was a sort of sabbatical month; 
the seventh year a sabbatical year, to let the land rest from till- 
age ; and at or after the seventh sabbatical year, that is, once 
in fifty years, there was a year of jubilee, or release and rest 
from servitude or bondage. Lev. xxv. 2, &c. 8, &c. 

104 Q. What was the great day of atonement ? 

A, The tenth day of the seventh month was appoint- 
ed as a general day of public fasting and humiliation, 
repentance, and atonement, for all the people. Lev. 
xxiii. 27, and xvi. 29, and Numb. xxix. 

105 Q. What was to be done on that day ? 

*#. This was the day when the high priest, dressed ■ 
in his richest garments, was to enter into the most holy 
place with the blood of a peculiar sacrifice, and sprinkle 
it upon the mercy-seat before the Lord, to make atone- 
ment for the sins of the whole nation, and to offer in- 
cense on the golden censer. See several more ceremo- 
nies belonging to this day, Lev. xvi. Let it be ob- 
served also, that in the year of jubilee, on this gr^t day 



48 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. < 

of atonement, the trumpet of jubilee 
through the land, to proclaim liberty to ;.1I the inhabi- 
tants. Lev. xxv. 8 — 10. 

106 q. What was the feast of tabernacles? 

Ji. On tlit* fifteenth day of the* seventh month, at the 
end of all their harvest, they begun this feast, and dwelt 
seven days in booths made of the boughs of trees. Ihut. 
xvi. 13. 

107 Q. What was the design of this ceremom 

A. To keep in memory their dwelling in booths in 
the wilderness, when they went out of the land of Egjpf 
Lev. xxiii. 39—44. 

108 Q. How was this feast observed? 

&. By peculiar sacrifices every day of the feast, and 
a holy assembly on the first day, and on the eighth day. 
Numb. xxix. 1 2. 

109 Q. At what hour did their sabbaths, and all thei» 
feasts begin and end ? 

Jl. The Jews counted their days, and particularly 
their holy days, from the evening at sunset to the 
evening. Gen. i. 5. Lev. xxiii. 5, 32. 

110 Q. At what place Mere the feasts to be kept : 
J0. At the place which God should choose for the 

residence of the ark and tabernacle; which was first at 
Shiloh, afterwards at Jerusalem ; though the blowing ol 
trumpets to proclaim the beginning of the year was prac- 
tised in all the cities of Israel. See Dent. xvi. 1G, and 
Pool's Annotat. on Lev. xxiii. 24. 2 k'ings, xxi. 4. 

111 Q. How then could all Israel keep tin iff t 

Ji. At the three chief feasts, namely, the pass-over, 
pentecost, and the feast of tabernacles, all the I 
were to appear before God in one place with some offer- 
ing. Exod. xxiii. 14 — IT. Dent. xvi. 16. 

112 Q. What was the offering they were to briny; 
unto God when they appeared before him at thest 
emn feasts ? 

J\. The tithe or tenth part of their corn, wine, and oil, 
and the first born of their cattle: but they themi 
were to partake in eating of it, I> 
though the bulk of it was t<< be given to tin 
Lerites. See ('Imp. VI. (ftiest 15, i»'>. 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 49 

113 Q. Was it not dangerous for them to leave their 
own dwellings, in towns and villages which bordered on 
their enemy's country ? 

Ji. God promised them, that when they should go up 
to appear before him thrice in the year, no man should 
desire their land, Exod. xxxiv. 23, 24, which was a 
standing miracle during that dispensation. 

114 Q. Having heard this account of holy persons 
and places, things and times, let us now inquire what 
were the holy actions? 

A. All those actions may be called holy, which were 
appointed to be a part of this ceremonial worship; but 
the actions relating to the natural worship of God, 
such as prayer and praise, are in themselves holy, and 
religious. 



Sect. VI. The Use of the Jewish Ceremonies. 

115 Q. What were the chief uses of all these cere- 
monial commands ? 

Ji. These three : (1.) To distinguish the Jews from 
all other people, as a holy people, and God's peculiar 
visible church, who eminently bore up Ms name and hon- 
our in the world. Lev. xx. 22 — 26, 

(2.) To employ that people* who were so much given 
to idolatry, in many varieties of outward forms and rites 
of religion, lest they should be tempted to follow the su- 
perstition and idolatry of the nations round about them. 
Bent. vi. 1, 2, 14, 17. Deut, xxix. 1, 9— -18. 

(3.) To represent by types, figures and emblems, 
many of the offices of Christ, and the glories and bless- 
ings of his Gospel. 

116 Q. How doth it appear that any of these Jewish 
ceremonies are emblems or types of Christ and his 
Gospel ? 

Ji. (1.) This appears from many places in the New 
Testament, where Jesus Christ and the blessing of the 
Gospel are called by the same names ; so Christ is called 



50 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ! 

©Or High Priest. Jlh.Yn. l,andiv. 14. lie is 1! ic Lamb 
that wa9 slain. Rev. v. C. 1 7V/. i. 19,20. O-n 
over, 1 for. v. 7, and Sacrifice to take away Bill. //■ ' 
ix. 26. The atonement or Propitiation for sin. 
iii. 25. 1 ,7o/i« ii. 2. His body is called the Temple, 
because God dwelt in it as in the Jewish temple. .Jo/w 
ii. 19, 21 Col. ii. 9. 

(2.) This appears yet Farther from die evident and in- 
tended resemblance which the Scripture re] 
tween several of the Jewish ceremonies, and the tl 
of the Gospel. The Wood of Christ obtained eternal re- 
demption for us, as the blood of bulls and goats cleansed 
and freed the Jews from ceremonial defilements. //> I. 
ix 12, &c. His blood is called the blood of sprinkling, 
Heb. xii. 24, to sprinkle or cleanse us from a guilft 
science, as the sprinkling of the blood of the ' 
rifices purified the people. Heb. ix. 20, and x. 22. The 
most holy place, where God dwelt of old on the m< 
seat, is the figure of the true heaven, where God dwells 
on a throne of grace. Heb. ix. 8, 24, and iv. 16. The high 
priest's entrance with the blood of the sacrifice, and with 
the names of the tribes on his breast, into the moat holy 
place, to appear before God there for the Jews, is a plain 
figure of Christ's entrance into heaven with hi> own 
blood, to appear before God for us. //</>. ix. I 
The Jewish incense was a type or figure of prayer. 
Rev. v. 8, and viii. 3. The Jewish sabbath, or dai/ of 
rest, as well as the land of Canaan, was a type of the 
rest and release of believers from sin and jjuilt, and from 
an uneasy conscience, under the Gospel, and the final 
rest of the saints in heaven. Heb. iv. 3, 4, 9, 1<>. 

This might be proved more at large by some other 
scriptures, where the Jewish rights in general are called 
figures or shadows of the good things of the Go-pel. 
Col. ii. 1(3, 17. Heb. viii. 5, and iv. 1 — 14, 

117 Q. Did the Jews themselves understand the 
spiritual meaning of these ceremoni 

A. Perhaps a few of them, who were more enlighten- 
ed, might understand the meaning of some of the chief- 
est and most considerable type- ; but the bulk of the 



Sect. 6 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. $i 

people can hardly be supposed to have understood the 
spiritual meaning of them ; at least the Bible gives us no 
intimation of it. 

118^. How could they be appointed as types and 
figures of spiritual tilings, if the people, who were re- 
quired to use them in their worship, did not understand 
the spiritual meaning of them ? 

d. (1.) The Jewish dispensation was the childish or 
infant state of the church of God, as it is described, Gah 
iv. 1, 2, 3, &c. Now, children are sometimes employed 
in several things by their wiser parents, the chief design 
and meaniag whereof they understand not till riper 
years. 

(2.) If these ceremonies were not understood by the 
ancient Jews, to whom they were given, yet they might 
be designed as types and figures of Christ, and the bless- 
ings of the Gospel, in order to confirm the religion of 
Christ and the Gospel, when it should be afterwards 
published to the world, by seeing how happily it answers 
these ancient types. 

119 Q. Where doth this appear ? 

A. St. Paul does actually confirm Christianity this 
way, especially in his epistle to the Hebrews, by shewing 
how these ancient types and ceremonies are fulfilled m 
the Gospel of Christ. 

Note. As a prophecy is the foretelling of things to come, in 
words, so a iype is the foretelling of something to come, in some 
veal emblem or figure or resemblance of it : now as there are 
many ancient prophecies which were not understood by the 
persons to whom they were first spoken, nor by the person? 
who spoke them, 1 Pet. i. 11, 12, yet when they are fulfilled 
they come to be better understood, and bear witness to. the 
hand of God, both in the prophecy and in the accomplishment. 
So though types may be obscure, when they are first appointed, 
yet when they are accomplished or fulfilled, they are better un- 
derstood, and shew the hand of God, both in appointing the 
sign, and bringing to pass the thing signified. 

120 Q. Can these things be said therefore to be ful- 
filled or accomplished in Christ, since the meaning of all 
these ceremonies or types is not yet known even to* 
Christians themselves r 



52 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. t>. 

A. The New Testament has revealed to us, ami 
taught us to understand the chief and most considerable 
both of the types and prophecies ; but neither one nor 
the other are understood luliv : and yet we Bake no 
doubt but the prophecies are, or ehall be accomplished in 
Christ; and why not the types also? Probably it i- re- 
served as one part of the glory of that happy day, when 
the Jews shall be converted/that the rest of their pro- 
phesies, as well as the rites and ceremonies of their ancieni 
worship, together with their accomplishment in Christ 
and the Gospel, shall be more completely understood 



CHAP. VI. 
Of the Political or Judicial Law of the Jew*. 

1 Q. We have had a particular relation of the moral 
and ceremonial laws of the Jews; say now what 
their judicial or political law f 

Ji. That which related to their civil government as 
a nation. 

2 Q. Who was their governor r 

A. God himself condescended to take upon hire the 
title of their King, and he appointed various kinds of 
governors under him, as he thought fit. Judges \iii. 23. 
1 Sam. xii. 12, 13. Isa. xxxii. 22. 

Note. Since the same person was both tl.t ir God and tl,« ii 
King, the tabernacle and the tempi-- maj 
only as the residence of tlxir God, but as the i 
King also. The court of the tabernacle na> the court 
palace; the holy of holies was the presence chambei 
mercy-seat was his throne ; the cherubs represented In- 
dents us God, and the priests were his miniff 
the high-priest his prime-minister ; the Levites were his ( 
dispersed through all tin- kingdom; the I 
together \\ ith some part of t ; 
priest, did represent tin provision for his hous< hoi 

Whatsoever other governors were made from t 
either captain*, judg< - or kings, th« \ w < re hut d« | 
who put them in ;uid turned tl 



Chap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 53 

3 Q. What did the political or civil laws, or com- 
mands, oblige the people to ? 

A To many particular practices, relating, (1.) To 
war and peace. (2.) To husbands and wives. (3.) Pa- 
rents and children. (4.) Masters and servants. (5.) 
Food and raiment. (6.) Houses and lands. (7.) Corn 
and husbandry. (8.) Money and cattle. (9.) The birds 
and beasts. (10.) The first-born of all things. (11.) 
The maintenance of the Levites and priests. (12.) The 
care of the bodies and lives of men. 

4 Q. What were some of the more peculiar laws 
about war and peace ? 

Ji. That they should make no peace with the seven 
nations of Canaan, but that they should destroy them 
utterly ; and that when they went to war, every soldier 
who was afraid might go home. Bent. vii. 1, 2, 3, and 
chap. xx. 8. 

5 Q. W T hat were some of their peculiar laws about 
husbands and wives ? 

Ji. That a man should marry his brother's widow, if 
his brother died childless : and that men were permitted 
to put away their wives by a writing of divorce. DeuL. 
xxv. 5, xxi v. 1. And that adultery was to be punished 
with death. Lev. xx. 10. 

6 Q. What were some of their special laws about 
parents and children ? 

A. The first-born son was to have a double portion : 
and that any child who smote or cursed his father or 
his mother, or was obstinately rebellious and incorrigible* 
was to be put to death. IJeut. xxi. 17, 18 — 21. Exod. 
xxi. 15, 17. 

7 Q. What are some of their special laws about 
masters and servants ? 

Ji. Any servant might go free if his master had 
maimed him : and an Israelitish servant, though he were' 
bought with money, shall go out free for nothing in the 
seventh year ; and if he will not go out free, his master' 
shall bore his ear through on the door post witli an awl^ 
and he shall serve him forever. Eocod. xxxi. 2 — 6 S ancfi 
^r,26,,27. 

6* 



54 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 6. 

Note. This word, fore per, signifies till the year of }« 
for all servants or slaves who Were 1J< 
have their free Ion, and return to their own land- and i 
j-ions, in their own tribe. Sec Lev.xw. D9 — 42. And 
the be«t way of reconciling Exod. wi. with Le\ 
one text saith, The /arrant shall go out fret in the seventh 
;md another in the yiar of jubiU.f. and the third B&ith, kt 
serve forever. 

8 Q. What special laws had (hey relating to their 
food ¥ 

Jl. That they should eat no blood, nor the fat of the 
kidneys, nor any thing that died of itself, or was torn o\ 
wild beasts, nor any of the beasts or birds, or fishes, 
which were pronounced to be unclean. Lev. x'<. and xvii. 
Deut. xiv. 21. And therefore they would not eat with 
heathens, lest they should taste unclean food. 

9 Q. What were some of the laws rotating to their 
clothing ? 

J. A man must not wear the raiment of women, nor 
a woman the raiment of men : they must wear no mix- 
ed garment made of woollen and linen ; and they were. 
required to make fringes in the border- of their garments, 
and put upon the fringe of the border- a ribbon of blue, 
that they might look upon it, and remember to i 
commandments of the Lord. JVurab. xv. 38, 39. Deut. 
xxti. 5, 11, 12. 

JWe. In our Saviour's time tiny 
on parchment, and put them on their fore-heads ;ind th< 
ments : these were c died phylacteries. Matt, xxiii. 5. 

10 Q. What are some of their special laws about 
houses and lands ? 

Ji. That every seventh year the land should real from 
ploughing and sowing; and God promised to rive then 
food enough in the sixth for the three year-. And every 
fiftieth year, which is the year of jubilee, all houses and 
lands that were sold, should return to their form, 
sessors, except houses in walled towns. Lev. xxv. 2 — 1 7, 
20, 21, 30, &c. 

JVo/c. Every seventh year, in which the field? were not to 
be tilled, was called a sabbath, cr sabbatical ytar ; and after 



Chap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 55 

seven sabbatical years, that is, forty-nine years, was the year of 
jubilee, in the fiftieth. Though some have supposed the jubilee 
to-be the forty-ninth year itself, that so two sabbatical years, 
might not come together : for in the jubilee it is plain, there 
Was to be no ploughing, nor sowing, nor reaping, nor vintage. 
Lev. xxv. 11. 

1 1 Q. What were some special Jewish laws about 
corn and husbandry? 

J. They were forbid to plough with an ox and an 
ass together ; to sow their fields with seeds of different 
kinds ; or to make clean riddance of their harvests, either 
of the field or of the trees, for the gleanings Were to be 
left for the poor. Beut. xxii. 9—11. Lev. xix. 9, 10, 19. 
And any travellers might eat their fill of grapes or corn 
in a field or vineyard, but might carry none away. 
Beut, xxiii. 24, 25. 

12 Q. What were some of their peculiar laws about 
money, goods, and cattle ? 

A. They might lend money upon usury to a stranger 
but not to an Israelite. That a thief should restore 
double for whatsoever thing he had stolen ; but if he 
stole cattle, and killed or sold them, he must pay five 
oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. Exod. xxii. 
22. Beut. xxiii. 19, 20. Exod, xxii. 1—9. But if he had 
nothing to pay, the thief should be sold for his theft. 
ver. 3. 

13 Q. W T hat special laws related to beasts and 
birds? 

A. They were forbid to muzzle the mouth of the 
ox that trod out the corn, that so he might eat some 
while he was treading it : nor when they took a bird's 
nest in the field with eggs or young ones, were they per- 
mitted to take the dam with them. Beut. xxv. 4, and 
xxii. 6, 7. 

14 % What laws were given them about the first" 
born ? 

w3. The first-born of man and beasts were devoted 
or given to God, as well as the first-fruits of the trees 
and of the field. Exod. xxii, 29, 30. Numb. xvii. 12, IS. 



56 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

.Yote. The first-born of men were redeemed bj 

The first-born of beast- wore to !>< Bacrificed or 

to death, if not redeemed. Exod. xii. J. 12, 13, \~>. 

iii. 41. 

15 Q. "What were the laws about the maintenance 
of the priest* ? 

Ji. The priests were to he maintained by the first- 
born of all cattle, and the first-fruits of oil, and wine, and 
corn, and they had a share in various sacrifices, namely, 
the heave-offerings, the Avave-breast, and the right shoul- 
der, &c. Numb, xviii. 8 — 19. 

.Xotc. Hrrtre-njj'criyigs were to be moved upwardjpn<! 
uard?, towards heaven and earth. Wave-offering^wtre »■> be 
shaken to and fro T or moved toward the four qu 
heaven. All this is supposed to signify i 

God, as universal Lord of all parts of t) • :,d who 

dwells everywhere. 

16 Q. "What were the laws about the Invite? main- 
tenance ? 

A. They were maintained by the tenth or tithe of 
fruits and corn, which God appointed for them. J\ 
xvp. 21,24. And they had some cities and their su- 
burbs, given them out of every tribe. Josh. xxi. 

17 ({. What were some of their special laws about 
the bodies and the lives of men 9 

Ji. He that killed, or stole, and sold a man, must die 
for it Ejcod.xx'i. 12, 1G. And in all cases of real in- 
jury or mischief, life was to pay for life, an eye i 
eye, a hand for a hand, or a foot for a foot 'Lev. wiv. 
\7 — 20. And this was the penalty of a false frit 
who intended to bring any mischief whatsoever on an- 
other, JJeut. xix. 18, &c. for the same was to be executed 
on the false witness. 

18 Q. Was there no pardon for him that killed an- 
other ? 

Ji. If he did it wilfully there was no pardon; but if 
it was done by chance, there were ^i>: cities of refuse in 
the land of Canaan appointed, to which the mansUyei 
might Hyand be safe. But he was bound to dwell 
till the death of the high-priest. Numb, zzxr.il- 



Chap. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 57 

19 Q. Was the law the same for the servant or slave, 
and for the freeman^m case of maiming and of murder? 

A. Not entirely the same ; for in some cases of 
maiming or killing a slave, the offender was not punish- 
ed to the same degree as if the injured person had been 
a freeman. Exod. xxi. 20, 26. 

20 Q. What were some of the usual punishments of 
criminals appointed in the Jewish law? 

Ji. A fine of money or cattle to be paid, a cutting 
off from the people or congregation, scourging or beat- 
ing, at most with forty stripes, the loss of a limb, or the 
loss of life. Exod. xxi. 19, 22, 36. Lew xix- 20, chap, 
xxiv. 17— 20. 

21 Q. What is the meaning of being cut off from 
the people, or the congregation f 

Ji. In some greater crimes, such as presumptuous 
rebellion against the laws of God, wilful sabbath-break- 
ing, Sec. it may signify capital punishment or death by 
the hands of the magistrate. Numb. xv. SO, 31. Exod. 
xxxi. 14. In some cases it may intend a being devoted 
to some judgment by the immediate hand of God. Lev. 
xvii. 10, and xx. 5, 6. But in some lesser crimes, per- 
haps, it may signify no more than to be excommunicated, 
or shut out of the congregation of Israel, and the privi- 
leges thereof; as for eating leavened bread at the time 
of the pass-over, Exod. xiL 15, or for a man's going unto 
the holy things with his uncleanness upon him. Lev. 
xxii. 3, where it is expressed, that f/m£ soul shall be cut 
off from the presence of God. But this question hath 
some difficulties in it, and learned men differ about the 
sense of these words, being cut off. 

22 Q. If the Jews were permitted to give forty 
stripes, how came Paul five times to receive but forty 
stripes save one from the Jews, who so much hated him ? 
1 Cor. xi. 24. 

J. Because they pretended to be very scrupulous in 
observing the law exactly, and therefore they never in- 
flicted more than thirty-nine stripes, lest they should 
happen to mistake in the tale while they were inflicting 
forty, and thus transgress the law, 



58 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. :. 

25 ^. AVhat were their most common ways of putting 
criminals to death r 

.?. By hanging them on a tree, or by stoning them 
with stones. A)unb. xxv. 4. Deuf. u 9, 10. 

*Vhw&. xv. f>.">. 

24 ^. How many wit 
demn a criminal to death ? 

JS. At the mouth of /?ro or fAra witnesses shall he 
that is worthy of death be put to death, but not at the 
mouth of one witness. Iteut. xvii. 6, 7. 

25 ({. What was the design of God in giving them 
so many peculiar laws about their ci\il or political af- 
fairs : 

J, (1.) To let them know that God was their King 
as well as their God, and to keep them distinct and 
separate from the rest of the nations, as his own people 
and kingdom. 

(2.) Many of these laws were in them 
lently suited to the advantage, of that people, dwelling 
in that country, and under those circumstances. 

(3.) Some of these laws had a moral or spiritual 
meaning in them, which might partly be known i 
time, and which was further discovered afterv 

20 Q. What instances can you give of mural / 
taught by these political laws r 

A. Thou shaft not take the dam with the young, 
.Dent. xxii. 6,7, is to teach men mildness and a 
sion. Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treads 
com, JJeut. xxv. -l, is to shew that ministers, who pro- 
vide us spiritual food, ought to be maintained then - 
1 Cor. ix. 9, 10, for so the apostle Paul has explained it. 



CHAP. VII. 

Of the Sins and Punishments of the Jews in tht WU' 
deruess. 

1 Q. After all this accouut of the moral, cen 

nial, and judicial laws, can you tell me whether the 
children of Israel obeyed them or no r 



Chap. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 59 

•J. No ; they often broke the laws of God, and sinned 
against him, and were often punished. Isa. lxiii. 10. 
Fsalm Ixxviii. 82 — 34. 

2 Q. What were the most remarkable sins against 
God in the wilderness ? 

A. Besides their murmurings at some difficulties in 
the beginning of their journey, their first remarkable and 
notorious crime was their making a golden calf, and 
worshipping it at the foot of Mount Sinai. Exod. xxxii. 
4, 8. 

3 Q. W hat temptation, or what pretence could they 
have for such a crime ? 

•#• Moses was gone up into Mount Sinai, and tarried 
there so many days longer than they expected, that they 
wanted some visible token of God's presence among 
them ; and so they constrained Aaron to make this gol- 
den image, to be a representation of the presence of 
God, but without God's appointment. Hocod. xxxii. 1. 

JVote. It is scarcely to be supposed that this was the mere 
image of a common calf, or that the Jews could fall down and 
worship such an image ; or that they could suppose an ox or 
calf, which was the idol of their enemies the Egyptians, was a 
proper emblem of the God of Israel, their deliverer from Egypt. 
Probably therefore it was the image of a cherub, partly in the 
form of a winged ox. And since God was represented imme- 
diately afterward by Moses as dwelling among the cherubims 
on the mercy-seat, this might be a common opinion or notion 
beforehand among the people even of that age.* And it might 
be made as a visible representation of the presence of God, for 
they proclaimed a feast to Jehovah, ver. 5, in the same manner 
as Jeroboam, long afterward, made perhaps the same sort of 
images for the same purpose, which are called calves. But both 
this and that being done without God's appointment, it was all 
idolatry, and in a way of the utmost contempt, it was called 
■worshipping a calf ; and was accordingly punished as highly 
criminal. See Chap. v. Q. 37. 



* There were some things relating to the worship of God which 
that people had some general notion of, before Moses went up into 
the mount to learn all the particulars from God : as for instance, 
they had altars, and sacrifices, and sprinkling of blood. Exod. 
xxiv. 4, 6, 8. They had priests, Exod. xix. 22, *24, and a taber- 
nacle, or moveable chapel. Exod. xxxiii. 6, 7. And they might 



60 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, 7. 

4 Q. How did God punish them for the golden calf? 
A. The children of Levi were commanded to 

their brethren, and they slew three thousand of the chil- 
dren of Israel. E.vod. xxxii. 27, 28» 

5 Q. What was another of their remarkable i 

A. In the next stage, after Sinai, they Loathed the 
manna, which God sent them, and murmured for want 
of flesh. Numb. xi. 4. 

6 (£. How was the murmuring punished ? 

A. God gave them the flesh of quails in abundance, 
and sent the plague with it. Numb. xi. 31, S3. 

7 ^. What was their third remarkable tin f 

A. Being discouraged by the spies who searched out 
the land of Canaan, and brought an ill report of that 
promised land, they were for making a captain to return 
to Egypt Numb. xxii. 32, and xiv. 3, 4, 36. 

8 Q. How was this rebellion chastised ? 

A. Ten of tltt spies died immediately of a plague, and 
all the peoplejwere condemned to wander forty 
in the wilderness, till all those who were above twenty 
years old should die by degrees in their travels. Numh. 
xiv. 29 — 37, 

9 Q. Who of the spies were saved ? 

A. None but Caleb and Joshua, who followed the 
Lord fully, and gave a good account of the land of prom- 
ise. Numb, xiv. 6, 23, 24, 37, 38, and xxvi. 65. 

10 Q. What was their fourth remarkable ainf 

A. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, stirred up a 
rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Numb. xvi. 1, etc. 

11 (±. What was the occasion of this rebellion of 
Korah and his companions ? 

A. They pretended that all Israel were holy, and 
that Aaron and his family had no more right to the 
priesthood than they; and that Moses took too much 
upon him to determine every thing among thenu Numb. 
xvi. 3, 10. 

know that God dwelt among mtgeh % or some glorious wing 
ings, as hit attendants. And these cherubs might be WDe< 
figured as flying men with calves' feet, or as flying o.vcn, :is> | 
the equipage or attendants of God- 



CfaapVf. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Si 

12 Q. H° w wcre Korah, Dathan and Abiram pun- 
ished r * 

A. They and their families were swallowed up by 
an earthquake,* and their two hundred and fifty com- 
panions were burnt by a fire which came out from God, 
ver. 31, 35, and when the congregation murmured 
against Moses and Aaron for the death of these sinners, 
God smote above fourteen thousand of them, and they 
died of the plague, ver. 41 — 50. 

13 Q. What miracle did God work to shew that he 
had chosen Aaron's family to the priesthood ? 

A. He bid the heads of the people choose twelve 
rods for the twelve tribes of Israel, and write Aaron's 
name upon Levi's rod, and Jay them up in the taberna- 
cle till the morrow : at which time they took each man 
his rod, and Aaron's rod blossomed and yielded almonds. 
Numb, xvii. 2—6—10. 

14 <£. What was done with this rod of Aaron ? 

A. It was laid up in the ark to be a lasting testimony 
against these rebels, ver. 10, and to confirm Aaron's right 
to the priesthood. 

15 0. What was a fifth remarkable sin of the peo- 
ple ? 

A. They "murmured because of the length of the 
way, and for want of better food than manna. Numb. 
xxi. 4, 5. 

16 Q How was this new murmuring punished ? 

A. God sent fiery serpents among them which destroy- 
ed many of them. " Numb. xxi. 6. 

17 Q. How were the people healed which were bitten 
by the serpents ■? 

A. By looking up to a serpent of brass, which Moses 
put upon a high pole at God's command. Numb. xxi. 
3,9. 

18 Q. What was the sixth remarkable sin of Israel? 
A. ^ Whoredom and idolatry ; for they loved the Mid- 

ianitish women, and worshipped their gods. Numb, 
xxv. 1, 2. 

Yet in J\Tum& xxvl. 11, the sons of Korah RVe excepted. 



62 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

19 Q. How was this whoredom and idolatry punish- 
ed? 

Ji. By the command of God and Moses to kill tin* 
offenders, and by a plague which slew twenty-four thou- 
sand. Numb. xxv. 4, 5, 9. 

£0 Q. Who tempted them to this idolatry : 

Ji. Balaam, the wicked prophet and sooths 
Numb. xxxi. 16. 

21 ({. Why did he tempt them to it ? 

Ji. Because God hindered him from cursing Israel, 
when Balak the king of Moab had hired him to do it 
Numb. xxii. 5 — 12. 

22 Q. How did God hinder him ? 

Ji. Three ways. (1.) By forbidding him to go at first, 
though afterwards he permitted him. (2.) By making his 
own ass speak to him, to stop him when he 
(3.) By inspiring him with prophecies, and compelling 
him to bless Israel three or four times, instead of cursing 
them. See Numb. xxii. 12, 30, 31, and xxiii. 7, 8, &c. 

23 Q. What became of Balaam at last'? 

Ji. He was slain among the Midianitea by the men oi 
Israel, under the conduct of Moses, before they i u 
the river of Jordan. Numb. xxxi. 1 — 8. 



CHAP. VIII. 

Of the Jews' Entrance into Canaan, and their Hov- 
er inn rut hy Judges. 

Sect. I. Of the Israelite^ Fos^ssion of Canaan. 

1 Q. What became of Hie people of Israel aft< 
their wanderings in the wUden* 

Ji. Though their sins and punishments were manj 
and great, yet they were not destroyed : but God brought 
them at last into Canaan, the land which 
to their fathers. Josh. ; . 1 ' 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 63 

2 Q. Did Moses lead them into that land ? 

Ji, No ; he was only permitted to see it from Mount 
Pisgah, and there he died, and God buried him. Deut* 
xxxiv. 1 — 8. 

3 (£. Did Aaron go with them into Canaan ? 

•& Aaron died before Moses, and Eleazar his son 
was made high priest in his room. Numb. xx. 24 — 28. 

4 Q. Why were not Moses the lawgiver, nor Aaron 
the high priest suffered to bring the people into the land 
of promise ? 

Ji. Because they had both sinned and offended God- 
in the wilderness, and God would shew his displeasure 
against sin. DeuL xxii. 48 — 51. 

5 (J. What other lesson might God design to teach- 
us by this conduct of providence ? 

Ji. Perhaps God might teach us hereby that neither 
the laws of Moses, nor the priesthood or Aaron, were- 
sufficient to bring us into the possession of the heavenly 
country, of which Canaan was a figure. 

6 Q. Who was appointed to lead the people of Israel 
into the promised land ? 

A. Joshua, whose name is the same with Jesus, and 
who came to be the governor and captain of Israel after 
Moses died. Josh. iii. IS — 15. 

7 Q, How did they get over the river Jordan ? 

Ji. As soon as the priests who bore the ark dipped 
their feet in the brink of the river, the waters which were 
above rose up in an heap, and the channel was left dry 
while ail the people passed over. Josh. iii. 14, 15. 

8 (j[. What memorial did they leave of their passing 
over Jordan on foot ? 

Ji. By God's appointment they took up twelve stones 
out of the midst of Jordan, where the priests stood with 
the ark while the tribes passed over, and set them up as 
a monument in the place wherein they lodged the first 
night. Josh. iv. 3 — 9, 23. 

9 Q. How were they commanded to deal with the 
Canaanites when they took their land ? 

Ji, They were required to destroy them utterly,. lest 



64 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8. 

if they should live they might teach Israel their idolatries 
and their wicked customs. Unit. vii. 16 — 

10 ({. But what right had the Jews to destroy them, 
and take their country ? 

.7. The Canaanites were abominable sinners, and 
God, by particular inspiration, made the Jev. 
tioners of liis wrath against them, ju>t a^ he might have 
used a plague, or the beasts of tlie earth to have *!. 
ed them ; and then, as the sovereign Lord of all, he 
gave their forfeited country and possessions to who 
pleased. Lev. xviii. 24, 25. Psalm exxxvi. IT — 

Here let it be observed, thai this awful 
lion's destroying another, and tei/inp tin 
dions, was authorised by God himself, thr ri 
world, in and by a 1 

miracles and prophecies ; so that the Israelite a could not 
reived in tin ir divine f r thi* bloody work, 

it liable to be made a precedent, or a in- 
flation or'pcr.-.on (o treat their neighbours 
ever so wicked, unless they can shi 
doubted att< rtai ;i commission I 

QUS Governor of the world, and ['..■ \.<-rd o*' all. 

1 1 Q. "What was the. fust citj in Canaan r 
,i. Jericho, whose walls fell down, wh 

appointment they sounded trumpets made of ram? h 
Josh. vi. 5, 20. 

12 Q* What did they do when they took the city ? 
.7. By God's command they devoted it as the 

i'ruits, to be a sacrifice to the Lord, and therefore they 
burnt all the goods in it, together with the city, as v. ell 
as destroyed all the inhabitants, except Uahab the harlot, 
and her kindred. Josh. vi. 24, 25. 

I 8 0. Why was Rahab spared ? 

J. Because" she believed that (Sod would give Israel 
the land of Canaan, and she hid ami saved the spies 
whom Joshua sent. Josh. ii. 9 — 14, ami vi. 2 . H 
xi. 31. 

14 Q. How did the army of I ? rael sua 
the men of Ai ? 

J. God suffered Israel to be put to flight before the 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 65 

men of Ai, because Achan an Israelite had stole and hid 
some of the spoil of the city of Jericho, which was ao- 
cursed, and devoted to the fire. Josh. vii. 5 — 9. 

15 Q. How was the anger of God appeased for this 
crime ? 

A. They mourned humbly before God, they sought 
out the person who had stolen this accursed thing, and 
stoned him and his family to death. Josh. vii. 6, 13, 14, 
24. 

16 q. How did they take the city of Ai at last ? 

A. By counterfeiting a flight as on the former day ; 
and when the men of Ai were drawn out of the city, 
the Israelites who lay in ambush entered and burnt it. 
Josh. viii. 13—29. 

17 Q. How did the Gibeonites deceive the people of 
Israel, and save themselves from death ? 

A. They sent ambassadors, with old sacks upon their 
asses, and old garments and mouldy bread, to prove that 
they came from a far country ; and the men of Israel 
rashly made peace with them, and swore to it. Josh. 
ix. 4— 15. 

1 8 Q. What did Joshua do when he found that they 
dwelt in the midst of Canaan ? 

A. He let them live, because the elders had sworn ta 
them ; but he made them hewers of wood and drawers 
of water for the congregation and for the altar of the 
Lord. ver. 27. 

1 9 Q. How did Israel conquer the king of Jerusalem* 
with his four allies ? 

A. God helped Israel, by casting great hailstones from 
heaven upon their enemies. Josh. x*. 10, 11. 

20 Q. What remarkable thing did Joshua do that day ? 
A. He bid the sun and moon stand still to lengthen 

out the dav for his victory, and they obeyed him. Josh. 
X.12-— 14." 

21 Q. What did Joshua do with the five kings when 
he took them ? 

A. He called the captains of Israel to set their feet 
on their necks, and then he slew them, and hanged them 
up on five trees before the Lord. Josh. x. 24, 26. 



06 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cna 

22 Q. Did Joshua proceed to conquer the whole 
country ? 

Jl. The Israelites, under the conduct of Joshua, weni 
on till they had slain one ami thirty kings, and then the 
people rested from war tor a season. Josh. xi. -23, and 
xii. 24. 

23 Q. Where was the tabernacle first set up aftev 
they came to Canaan ? 

Jl. In Shiloh, in the tribe of Kphraim, at -nine <li- 
tance from Jerusalem, and there it tarried above three 
hundred years, even till the days of Samuel. Josh, xviii 
1. 1 Sam. i. 3. 

24 (f. How came it to be set up there r 

A. By the appointment of God; for it i- said, He 
set his name first in Shiloh. Jer. vii. 12. See Dent. 
xii. 5 — 16. 

25 Q. How was the land of Canaan divided lining 
the people ? 

A. Reuben, and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, 
had their inheritance given them by Moses on the other 
side Jordan, and Joshua cast lots for the rest of the tribes 
before the Lord in Shiloh. JS m umh. xxxii. Josh. xiii. 7, 
8, and xviii. 10. 

26 Q. Did not the tribes of- Reuben and Gad, and 
half Manasseh, go to help their brethren in de sta e yi ng 
the Canaanitcs r 

.#. Yes; by the appointment of Moses, they went 
over Jordan to assist their brethren, till they were settled 
in the land. Numb, xxxii. 16 — 33, and Josh. i. |fl — is. 

27 Q. What memorial did these two tribes and an 
half leave in the land of Canaan, that they belonged to 
the nation of Israel ? 

Jl. They built a great altar upon the borders of Jor- 
dan, not for sacrifice, but merely as a memorial of their 
interest in the God of Israel, in the tabernacle, and in the 
worship thereof. Josh. xxii. 

28 Q. Where was the tribe of Levi disposed of? 

Jl. Being devoted to the service of the tabernacle 
and religion, they were not fixed in one spot o* ground, 
but had a share io the inheritance of ever 



Sect I. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 67 

they might teach every city the laws of God and their 
duty. Josh. xxi. 3. 

29 Q. What did Joshua do just before his death ? 
A* He summoned the people together, and made a 

most solemn covenant with them, that they should serve 
the Lord. Josh, xxiii. and xxiv. 1 — 28. 

30 Q. Did the Israelites go on to drive out the in- 
habitants of Canaan after the death of Joshua ? 

A. Yes ; by the appointment of God, the tribe of Ju~ 
dah went up against Bezek. Judg. i. 1—4. 

31 Q. What did the Israelites do to Adoni-bezek 
(or the king of Bezek) when they took him ? 

A. They cut off his thumbs and great toes. Judg A. 6^ 

32 Q. What remark did he make upon it ?- 

A. He confessed the justice of God in this punish- 
ment, for he had cut off the thumbs and great toes of 
threescore and ten kings, and made them gather meat 
under his table, ver. 7. 

33 Q. Did the Israelites drive all the Canaanites 
out of the land ? 

A~ No; for there were some left for several hundred 
years after Joshua's death : the Jebusites and the Philis- 
tines continued till the days of David. 2 Sam. v. 6, 17. 

34 Q. Why did not God assist Israel to drive them 
all out ? 

A. Because Israel did not obey the commands of 
God, and some of the Canaanites were left to prove Is- 
rael, whether they would obey the? Lord, and to be as- 
thorrrs in their sides, to punish them for their sins. Josh* 
xxiii. 12, 13. Judg. ii. 3, 21, and iii. 1 — 4. 

35 Q. What were the most common sins that Israel 
was guilty of after their settlement in Canaan ? 

A, They fell to idolatry, or worshipping the gods 
of the nations round about them, after Joshua was dead,, 
and the elders of the people of that age that outlived 
Joshua. Judg. ii. 6 7 10 — 15. 



68 SCRrPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8. 

Sect. N. Of the Government of Israel by .1 

36 Q. Who governed the people of Israerafter J 

ua's deatli r 

Ji. God was always the Kins: and Hulcr of Israel, 
and under him the several tribes probably chose their own 
judges, magistrates and officers, according to the appoint- 
ment of Moses- Exod. xviii. JJeut. i. 13. Josh. xxiv. I. 

Nofc. Tlif-^c officdv, or judge?, which were set over the 
people by Moses, at the advice of Jethro, 

by the people in their several tribes just after they came otM of 
Egypt. Exod. xviii. Moses says to the people, Takt . 
men, Sec. Deut. i. 13. Tin seventy or seventy-two 
■were the gravest and most vem rable of thi se offic< r-. sb 
every tribe ; for God says t>> Moses, Cottar to m 
of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest, to h 
them. Numb. xi. 16. These were to meet togeth< r. and con- 
sult upon extraordinary occasions, as when a lorl of -edition 
•was raised by the murmurings of the people, Numb. xi. or in 
such like cases of danger. 

The high priest was the chief counsellor, and 
judge ; for the oracle of God was with him, and he u 
posed to be chiefly skilled in the law, especially if be « 
elderly man. The common priests and I 

sistants to the judges, by way of counsel, and in deciding con- 
troversies in every tribe. Dtut. xvii. 9 — 12. Buf still I 
ecutive power was vested in the judge of each tribe, and God 
himself was their Kin& and the centre of union and g 
ment. 

But when, through their idolatry and v. 
sook the people, and their officers and judges m 
duty, the people sustained the miseries and conl 
anarchy, as it is several times < xpressed in the book of .' 
There teas no king in Israel, and ttery out did what tea 
in his ova eyes. And by their disunion 
ment they were weakened, and 1" i 
enemies round about them : but at i 

ed them up extraordinary judges t" r. covi r tin in from si 
and to restore government among them : and tin 
minion over many, or all the tribes, being raised up eminently 
by God himself. 

That this was the original and app< inted method of tl 
emment of Israel, as I have described it, we may lean 



Sect. a. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 69 

from Deut. i. 13, where the officers are chosen, and Deut. xvii. 
8 — 12, and xix. 16 — 18, where Moses appoints the business of 
the priests and the judges ; and partly from 2 Chron. xvii. 7 — 9, 
and xix. 5 — 11, where Hezekiah makes a reformation through- 
out the laud, and appoints the judges to be executors of jus- 
tice, the priests and Levites to be the teachers of the people^ 
and counsellors to the judges, and the high priest to be the 
chief counsellor : and sometimes he was a judge also, as was 
before intimated. 

■37 Q. Was not the high priest their ruler under 
God ? 

S. The high priest seems to be appointed by God 
and Moses, to be the chief counsellor in declaring the 
laws and statutes of God, as the other priests were also 
counsellors; but the executive power of government was 
rather vested in those who were called judges, whether 
they were ordinary, or extraordinary. Deut. xvii. 9 — 12. 

S8 (£. Did these ordinary officers do justice, and 
maintain good order in the land after the days of Josh- 
ua? 

JR. We have very little account of them; but it is 
certain they did not Fulfil their duty, because there was 
sometimes great wickedness among the people, without 
restraint ; much idolatry and mischief, both public and 
private, and that for want of government. Judg. xvii. 
6, and xxi. 25. 

39 Q. Why did God, the King of Israel, leave his 
people under these inconveniences? 

d. As they had forsaken God and his laws, so God 
seemed sometimes to have forsaken the care of them, and 
isriven them up to the confusions and miseries which arise 
from the want of government for a season ; and also 
suffered their enemies on every side to make inroads up- 
on them, and bring them into slavery. Judg. ii. 1 1 — 15. 

40 Q. But did not the great God interpose for their 
deliverance r 

»i. Sometimes in the course of his providence, and 
by special inspiration, he raised up extraordinary judges 
to rescue them from the hand of their enemies, and to 
restore government among them. Judg. ii. 16—19. 



70 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8*. 

41 Q. Who were some of the most remarkable of 
these extraordinary judgi 

A. Ehud, and Shamgar, Deborah and Gideon, Jeph- 
thah, Samson, and Samuel. 

42 Q. Who was Ehud? 

& A man of Benjamin* "who delivered Israel from 
the oppression of Eglon king of Moab. Judg. iii. I 

4.3 ({. How did he deliver them r 

A. fey bringing a present to Eglon, and then stabbing 
!iim with a dagger. Judg. iii. 1< ; , IT. 

44 ({. What did Shamgar do toward their delive- 
rance ? 

A. He rescued Israel from t\\c oppression of the 
Philistines, and slew six hundred of them with a 
goad. Judg. iii. SI. 

45 Q. Who was Deborah ? 

A. She was a woman, a prophetess, who delivered 
Israel from tiie tyranny of Jabin, kin^ of Canaan, who 
had nine hundred chariots of iron. Juag. iv. % -1. 

46 Q. How did she deliver Israel from his hand ? 
A. She sent forth Barak to battle against him, who 

routed his army, which was commanded b 
general. Judg. iv. 5. 

4T Q. How was Sisera slain ? 

J. By. the hand of Jael, a woman, who when he came 
to rest himself in her tent, drove a nail into his temples. 
Judg. iv. 18—22. 

48 Q. Who was Gideon ? 

.7. The son of Joash ; lie was called by an an 
by God himself, to destroy the worship ol Baal, i 
deliver Israel from the hands of the Midiani 
yi. 11 — 14. 

Note. Gideon had sufficient evidenc< I 

m (; ' ! himself, for the an^el talk« d v. it ; i liiin ; an 
Gideon had f( I 

anc^el bid him lay them upon a rock, ami pour (.•ut< th< 
upon them, then with one end >>i his rod ih< 
them, and tire arose and consumed them. 

49 Q. How did he begin his work : 



ML'& SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ?i 

»?. He first threw down the altar of Baal the idol by 
night, anil cut down the idolatrous grove, and then offer- 
ed a sacrifice to the Lord, according to the order he had 
received from God. Judg. vi. 25 — 28. 

50 Q. What farther sign did God give him of suc- 
cess ? 

Jl. At his request God made a fleece of wool wet, 
when the ground all around it was dry ; and again, he 
made a fleece of wool dry, when the ground was wet. 
Judg. vi. 36 — 40. 

51 (£. How many men did God appoint for Gideon's 
army ? 

Jl. Out of thirty-two thousand he appointed but three 
hundred men. Judg. vii. 3, 6, 7. 

52 Q. How did three hundred men conquer Midian ? 
J. Each of them, by Gideon's order, took a trumpet, 

and a pitcher with a lamp in it, and coming at midnight 
on the camp of the Mklianites, they broke their pitchers, 
and frighted them with a sudden blaze of lamps, the 
sound of the trumpets, and loud shouting. Judg. vii. 
20—23. 

53 Q. Did Gideon reign over Israel after this great 
victory ? 

Jl. No ; he refused it, for he said God was their King. 
Judg. viii. 23, 

54 (£. Did Gideon's sons govern Israel afterwards ? 
Jl. None of Gideon's threescore and ten sons set up 

themselves, but Abimelech, the son of his concubine, made 
himself king. Judg. ix. 1, 2, 6. 

55 Q. How did Abimelech advance himself to the 
kingdom ? 

Jl. He slew all his threescore and ten brothers ex- 
cept the youngest, who escaped. Judg. ix. 5. 

56 Q. How was Abimelech slain ? 

A* When he was besieging a city, a woman cast a 
piece of millstone upon his head. Judg. ix. 51 — 53 

57 Q. Who was Jephthah ? 

Jl. A mighty man of valour, who delivered Israel 
from the power of the Ammonites. Judg. xi. 1, 32, 33. 

58 Q, What was remarkable concerning him ? 



r* SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (Imp. 8. 

t 9. lie made a rash vow to sacrifice to God tin 
tiling that came to meet him alter his victory, and that 
happened to be his daughter and only child. Judg. xi. 
30, 31, 34. 

Note. It is a matter of doubt rog the 

learned whether Jephthah, being a soldier, in thos< 
ranee, did not really offer his daughter far corning 

to his vow, as the Scripture seems to express it ; or. win 1 
only restrained her from marriage and bearing children, which 
in those days was accounted like a sacrifice, and 
of death passed on them. 

59 Q. Who was Samson r 

J. The son of Manoah,and he delivered Israel from 
llie hands of the Philistines. Judg. xiii. and xiv, &c. 

60 Q. What was his character r 

A. He was the strongest of men, but he dot 
seem to have been the wisest or the best. 

(31 Q. Wherein did his strength lie r 

A. He was a Nazarite, devoted to God from his 
birth, and so was bound to let his hair grow, and then 
God was with him ; but when his hair was cut, God let! 
him. Judg. xiii. 7, and xvi. 17. 

62 Q. What instances did he give of his greai 
strength ? 

Ji. He tore a lion asunder, he broke all the cords 
with which he was bound, he slew a thousand Philifi 
with the jaw-bone of an ass: and when he fell in love 
with a harlot in Gaza, and the Philistines beset the citj 
gates, he carried away the gates and jjate-po^t* of tin- 
city with him, when he made his way out ai 
Judg. xiv. 5, 6, and xv. 13, 14, and xvi. 3, 11, 1 •. 

63 Q. What befel him afterward r 

Ji. He fell in love with Delilah, another of the 1' 
tine women, who cut oil his hair, and then - 
him to the Philistines, who put out his eyes, ami 
him grind in a mill. Judg, wi. 1 — 21. 

64 Q. What was Samson's end : 

Ji. Thousands of the Philistines were gatto 
gether to make sport with Samson ; and, ii: 
venge himself of the Philistines, and to destroy the ene- 



Sect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 73 

mies of Israel, he pulled the house down upon their 
heads and his own. Judg. xvi. 30. 

65 ^. Who judged Israel after Samson ? 

Ji. Eli the high priest is said to judge Israel forty 
years ; but he is not supposed to be one of the extraor- 
dinary judges who delivered them, but rather that he 
was made an ordinary magistrate, perhaps, over some 
part of thejand. 1 Sam, iv. 18. 

66 Q. Who was the last of these extraordinary 
judges ? 

Ji. Samuel the prophet, the son of Hannah, a pious 
woman, who had no child before, and requested of God 
to give her one. 1 Sam. i. 20. 

67 Q. What is written in honour of Hannah ? 

A. When she was greatly provoked and grieved in 
spirit, she prayed to God at the tabernacle, and she went 
away cheerful. 1 Sam, i. 15 — 18. 

68 Q. Where was Samuel brought up ? 

Ji. As he was requested of the Lord, so he was giv- 
en to the Lord, and was brought up at the tabernacle in 
Shiloh under the care of Eli the high priest. 1 Sam. L 
22, 28. 

69 Q. What was Samuel's office ? 

Ji. He waited on the service of the tabernacle as a 
Levite, being the first-born, and being given to God. 1 
Sam. ii. 18. 

70 Q. Was he not also a prophet ? 

Ji. Yes; God called him three times in one night 
when he was a child, and made a prophet of him, and 
told him what calamities should befall the house of Eli 
the high priest. 1 Sam. iii. 4 — 14. 

71 Q. What was the great crime of Eli ? 

Ji. Though he loved and honoured God himself, yet 
he did not restrain his sens from wickedness. I Sam. 
iii. 13. 

72 Q. In what manner did God shew his displeas- 
ure against the house of Eli ? 

A. His two sons were slain by the Philistines in bat- 
tle, and the high priesthood went into another branch of 
Aaron's family. 1 Sam. ii. 27 — 36. 1 Kings ii. 27, 



74 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. P. 

73 Q. "What became of Eli himself? 

A. When he heard that the ark of God was taken by 
the Philistines he fainted for grief, and fulling down 
backward lie brake his neck. 1 Sam. iv. 17, 18. 

74 q. What did the Philistines do with the ark of 
God? 

A. They brought it into the house of their idol, I)a- 
gon, and the idol fell down and broke oft' his head and his 
hands upon the threshold. 1 Sam v. 2 — 5. 

75 ({. What punishment did the Philistines suffer 
for keeping the ark ? 

A. In several cities where tbey placed it, God de- 
stroyed many of the inhabitants, and smote the rest with 
.sore diseases. 1 Sam. v. 6 — 12. 

76 Q. What became of the ark then ? 

A. The Philistines put it into a new cart drawn by 
two milch kine, whose calves were shut up at home, and 
yet they carried it directly into the land of Israel to 
Bethshemesh. 1 Sam. vi. 1 2. 

77 Q. What did the men of Bethshemesh dor 

A. They looked into the ark, which was utterly for- 
bidden, and God smote manv of them with a 
slaughter, and they sent the ark away to Kirjath-ji 
1 Sam.\i. 19—21. 

78 Q. How did Samuel deliver Israel from the Phi- 
listines when they made a new war upon ti i 

A. He offered a burnt-offering, and prayed ti 
Lord, and God fought against the Philistines with thun- 
der from heaven, and scattered and them. 
1 Sam. vii. 9, 10, 13. 

79 Q- How did Samuel govern the people I 

A. He travelled through the land every year, he 
judged Israel with great honour and justice for i 
years; but in histoid age he made his sons judges 
they oppressed and abused the people. I San 
15 — 17, and viii. 1 — 4, and xii. 1 — I. 

80 Q. What was the request of the peoj 
occasion? 

A. That they might have a kir.u; like the rest of the 
nations. 1 Ann* vii 



Chap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 75 

81 Q. What did Samuel do in this case $ 

Ji. He would have advised them against it, because' 
God was their king, but they still persisted in desiring., 
a man for a king. 1 Sam. viii. 6, 7, 19, 20. 

82 Q. Did Samuel gratify them in this desire ? 

.1. Being admonished of God he complied with their 
desire, and appointed a king over them. 1 Sam. viii. 22.- 



CHAP. IX. 

Of the Government of Israel under their Kings; and 
first of Saul and David. 

1 Q. Who was the first King of Israel ? 

Ji. Saul, a very tall young man, the son of Kish a 
Benjamite. 1 Sam. ix. 1, 2. 

2 Q. How did Samuel first meet with him ? 

A. Saul was sent by his father to seek some asses 
that he had lost, and asking Samuel about them, Samuel 
took him aside privately, and anointed him king of Is- 
rael. 1 Sam. ix. 15 — 27, and x. 1 — 8. 

3 Q. But how was he made king publicly ? 

Ji. God chose and determined Saul to be king by 
casting lots among the tribes and families of Israel. 
1 Sam. x. 19 — 25. 

4 Q. How did Saul behave himself in his kingdom ? 
Ji. He governed well at first for a little time, but 

afterward he disobeyed the word of God in several in- 
stances, and God rejected him. 1 Sam, xiii. 13, and 
xv. 23. 

5 Q. Whom did God choose in his room ? 

Ji. David, of the tribe of Judah, who is called the man 
after God's own heart. 1 Sam.xvi. 1, and xiii. 14. Jicts 
xiii. 22. jfc 

6 ^. Wio were the forefathers of David ? 

A. He was the youngest son of Jesse, who was the 
son of Obed, who was the son of Boaz by Ruth his wife, 
Ruth iv. 17—22. 



76 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. 

7 q. What was this Ruth? 

J. She was a woman of Moab, and she married 
Mahlon a Jew, the son of Naomi, when I 
sojourn in Moab, because of a famine in Israel. Ruth 
i. 1 — 4. 

8 Q. Did Ruth leave tlie country of Moab ? 

A. Yes ; after her husband died in the laud of Moab, 
she followed her mother-in-law Naomi into the land of 
Israel, and took the God of Israel for her God. liuth i. 
16, 17. 

9 Q. What kind providence attended her in the 
land of Israel r 

Ji. Boaz, a rich man, who was near of kin to her 
former husband, married her, and so she became the 
great-grandmother of David. Huih iv. 16, 17. 

10 ({. What was David's employment P 

Ji. Being the youngest son of a. large family, he was 
bred up to keep his father's sheep. 1 Sam. xvi. 1 1. 
J 11 Q. What considerable actions did he do while he 
was a shepherd ? 

Ji. He killed a lion and a bear who came to rob his- 
father's flock. 1 Saw. xvii. 34. 

12 Q. How did God anoint him to be king r 

J. He sent Samuel secretly to anoint him with oil 
at Bethlehem, in the midst of his brethren. 1 Saw. 
xvi. 13. 

13 Q. How did David make his first appearance at 
court ? 

Ji. David understood music, and when the evil spirit 
of melancholy came upon Saul, hearing of David's skill 
in music, he sent for him to play on the harp to i 
him. 1 Sam. xvi. 16 — 23. 

14 Q. What remarkable action made him more pub- 
'icly known? 

Ji. When Goliath the giant challenged the mi 
Israel, David undertook the combat, and skw him with 
a sling and stone. 1 Sam, xvii. 19 — 54. 

15 ({. How did Saul employ him afterwards? 

Ji. He sent him out against the Philistine*, and he 
-lew many thousands of them. 1 Sam. \i\ 



Chap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 77 

16 Q. How came Saul then to bear him an ill-will ? 
Ji. From mere envy, because the women of Israel 

sung to their instruments of music, Saul had slain his 
thousands, and David his ten thousands, 1 Sam, xviii. 
5, 6, 7. 

17 Q. Wherein did Saul discover his ill-will to him ? 
Ji. He threw a javelin at him, and often attempted 

to kill him. 1 Sam. xviii. 21. 

1 8 ^. Did not Saul marry his second daughter Mi- 
chal to him ? 

Ji. Yes ; but he required of him the slaughter of a 
hundred Philistines instead of her dowry, hoping that 
David himself would be slain in the attempt. 1 Sam. 
xviii. 17 — 30. 

19 Q. Who then were the friends of David when 
the king was his enemy ? 

A. All the people of Israel loved him, and so did 
Jonathan the son of Saul, who skreened him often from 
his father's malice. 1 Sam. xviii. 5, and xix. 2. 

20 Q. But how could David escape so long when 
Saul ordered his servants to kill him ? 

Ji. He fled from place to place in the land of Israel, 
and was hunted like a partridge on the mountains, till 
at last he was forced to hide himself twice among 
the Philistines. 1 Sam. xxi. 10, and xxvi. 20, and 
xxvii. 1. 

21 q. What did he do there? 

Ji. When he was at Gath the first time, he feigned 
himself mad, lest Achish the king of Gath should kill 
him. 1 Sam. xxi. 12, IS. 

22 Q. How did David save his father's house from 
Saul's rage ? 

Ji. He desired the king of Moab to let his father and 
his mother dwell there, but he himself went into the land 
of Judah. 1 Sam. xxii. 1 — 5. 

23 Q. How did Saul further manifest his rage against 
David ? 

Ji. He slew fourscore and five persons of tfr? priests 
of- the Lord, because he supposed they had concealed 
8*-- 



78 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. 

David, and did not tell the king where he was. 1 Sam. 
xxii. 17,18. 

24 Q. Had David any army under his command a 
that time ? 

Jl. Yes ; he had gathered together about four hun- 
dred men, which grew in a little time to mx hundred. 
1 Sam. xxii. 2, and xxiii. 13. 

25 q. Did David fight with Saul all this time? 

Jl. No; he avoided niin, and fled from him continu- 
ally, by shifting his place whensoever Saul pursued him j 
and at last was forced to go into the land of the Philis- 
tines again. 1 Sam. xxiii. and xxiv. and xxvii. 

26 Q. Did David never attempt to kill Saul ? 

Jl. No; but he spared his life twice when he had i« 
in his power to kill him. 1 Sam. xxiv. 7, 8, 10, 1 1, and 
xxvi. 11, 12, &c. 

27 Q. Had this kindness of David no influence to 
soften the heart of Saul toward him r 

Jl. Yes ; it did for the present ; but Saul's envy and 
malice were.so rooted in his heart, that they prevailed 
above all the principles of kindness and gratitude. 1 
Sam. xxir. 16 — 21, and xxvi. 1 — 3, and xxvii. 1. 

28 Q. What became of Saul at last ? 

J. The Philistines invaded Israel, and Saul was in 
great distress, because God gave him no direction*, nor 
answered him by dreams, nor by the priests nor prophets. 
1 Sam. xxviii. 4 — 6. 

29 Q. What did Saul do then ? 

Jl. He inquired of a woman who had a familial 
spirit, and there he was told by an apparition of 
tning in the shape of Samuel, that he and his sons should 
die on the morrow. 1 Sam. xxviii. 8, 19. 

30 Q. Did this come to pass ? 

Jl. Yes; the Philistiues slew several of hb sons, and 
wounded him sorely in the battle, and then he fell upon 
his own sword, and slew himself. 1 Sam. \\\\. .\ -4. 

31 Q. Where was David all this while r 

Jl. Hi was tied the second time to Achish king <»t 
Gath, and he had been just then employed in destroying 
the Amalekites, who had plundered the city of ZiaUg 



Chap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 79. 

where he dwelt, and had carried away his wives. 1 
Sam. xxx. 16—20. 

32 Q. Did not David offer his service to the Philis- 
tines r 

Ji. Yes ; but he always avoided fighting against the 
Israelites ; and besides, the lords of the Philistines at 
this time would not suffer him to continue in their army : 
which was done by the kind providence of God, that 
David might not fight against Israel. 1 Sam. xxvii. 
8 — 11, and xxxix. 4, and 2 Sam. i. 1. 

S3 ((. What did David do upon the death of Saul £ 

A. He made a very fine elegy upon him and Jona- 
than his son, and went up to Hebron, a city of Judah, 
by God's direction, where the men of Judah made him 
their king.. 2 Sam. ii. 1 — 4. 

84 Q. Who then reigned over the rest of the tribes 
of Israel? 

Ji. Ishbosheth, another of the sons of Saul. 2 Sam. 
ii. 8, 9. 

35 Q. How came Ishbosheth to lose the kingdom ? 

*/?. He quarrelled with Abner the general of his 
army, whereupon Abner joined with David ; and after 
this, two of lshbosheth's own servants slew him in his 
bed. 2 Sam. ii. 7— 10, 17, 18, and iv. 5, 7. 

56 Q. How long did David reign in Hebron ? 

A. Seven years and an half; and then all Israel 
came to him and chose him for their king, and brought 
him up to Jerusalem. 2 Sam. v. 1 — 6. 

57 Q What was the first thing. David did when he 
came to Jerusalem ? 

Ji. He took the strong hold of Zion from the Jebu- 
sites, who had held it to that day, and called it the city 
of David. 2 Sam. v. 6 — 9. 

58 Q. W T here was the ark of God all this while ? 
Ji. At Kirjathjearim, whence David now fetched it 

up by God's direction to Jerusalem ki triumph, and 
placed it in Zion. 2 Sam. vi. 1 — 17. 1 Chron. xiii.5, 6. 

59 Q. What was David's pious design toward the 
ark of God ? 

JL He had a mind to build a house for the ark of 



80 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 9. 

God, which had hitherto dwelt in curtains. 2 8am. vii. 
2, 3. 

-JO Q. Did God encourage him to proceed in it r 

A. No : God did not encourage him, because he had 
shed much blood ; but he promised that he should have 
a son, who should build him an house. 2 Sam. vii. 0, 3. 

41 <j. Had David no wars after this? 

A. Yes ; he had many battles, and was victorious 
over his enemies round about him ; namely, the Philis- 
tines and Moabites, the Syrians and Edomites, 8 
Sam. viii. 1—14. 



42 q. ] 

A. He i 



• executed judgment and justice among all the 
people. 2 Sam. viii. 15. 

43 q. What were the chief blemishes of David's 
life ? 

A. His adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah, 
and his pride in numbering the people of Israel. 

44 Q. How came David to fall in love with Bath- 
sheba ? 

A. David from the top of his house happened to see 
her washing herself, and sent for her and defiled her. 
2 Sam. xi. 4. 

45 q. What aggravation attended this Bin ? 

A. Besides the heinous crime of adultery in the Bight 
of God, here was vile ingratitude and base carnac 
wards Uriah, who at that time was abroad fightii 
him against the Ammonites. 2 Sam, \i. 6. 

46 q. How did he try to hide it from Uriah and 
from the world r 

A. When he could not persuade Uriah to iro to his 
own house, he sent an order to Joab his general, that he 
should set Uriah in the hottest place of the battle, and 
retire from him and leave him to be slain. -2 Sam. xi. 15. 

47 q. What followed upon the death of Uriah which 
David had thus contrived ? 

A. David added Bathsheba to the rest of his a 
and she bare him a son. I Sam. xi. 27. 

48 q. How was David convinced of his sin? 

A. By an ingenious parable of Nathan the prophet, 



Chap. 9; SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 81 

concerning a rich man who robbed his neighbour of an 
ewe-lamb, though he had large flocks of his own. 2 Sam. 
xii. 1—8. 

49 Q. How did God testify his displeasure against 
David for his sin ? 

Ji. He struck the child that was born with sickness 
and death, and threatened David that the sword should 
never depart from his house, and that his own wives 
should be publicly abused. 2 Sam. xii. 9 — 14. 

A'ofc. David testified his deep repentance for this sin in the 
fifty-first Psalm, and perhaps also in some others ; yet God saw 
it proper to punish him severely, because he had given the ene- 
mies of God occasion to blaspheme. 2 Sam. xii. 14. 

50 Q. What were some of the chief troubles that 
actually came on David's family on this account ? 

Ji. The troubles that he met with from three of 
his sons, namely, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah. 

51 Q. What was the trouble he met with from Am- 
non ? 

Ji. Amnon defiled his sister Tamar by force, upon, 
which Absalom slew him, and then fled out of the land 
for fear of justice. 2 Sam. xiii. 14, 28, 57. 

52 Q. Did Absalom never return again ? 

Ji. Yes ; Absalom returned after two years, when 
David was pacified, and by his subtil carriage he raised 
a rebellion against the king his father, and made himself 
king, 2 Sam. xiv. and xv. 

53 Q. What followed upon this wicked practice of 
Absalom ? 

A. David being forced to flee from Jerusalem, Ab- 
salom entered the city, and defiled his father's concu- 
bines publicly. 2 Sam. xv. 14, and xvi. 21. 

54 Q. Who was Absalom's chief counsellor in this 
rebellion ? 

Ji. Ahitophel, who, when he saw that his last counsel 
was not followed, went home and hanged himself. £ 
Saw.xvii. 23. 

55 Q. What became of Absalom at last ? 

d. As he was riding; under an oak in the. day of 



82 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] 

battle, he was caught by the hair of the head, and hung 
between heaven and earth, where Joab, Dav 
found him and stabbed him to the heart, 2 Sam. xviii. 
9, 14, and thus put an end to his rebellion and his life. 

56 ({. What was the other remarkable crime of Da- 
vid, besides his abuse and murder of Uriah ? 

Jl. The pride of his heart in numbering all the people 
of the tribes of Israel, that he might know how great a 
king he was. 2 Sam, xxiv. 2. 

57 Q. How was he punished for this sin ? 

A. God gave him leave to choose one of these three 
punishments, either seven years famine, or three months 
of war, or three days pestilence. 2 Sam, xxiv. 13. 

58 Q. Which did David choose ? 

A. The famine or the pestilence, rather than war ; 
for he chose rather to fall into the hands of God than of 
man. 2 Sam. xxiv. 14. 

59 Q. Which of these two judgments did God send 
upon the land ? 

Jl. A pestilence that destroyed seventy thousand men 
in three days time. ver. 15. 

60 Q. How was this pestilence stopped ? 

»fl. When David saw the angel of the Lord stand be- 
tween heaven and earth, having a drawn sword in his 
hand stretched out over Jerusalem, he and the elders of 
Israel fell upon their faces clothed in sackcloth ; and 
David confessed his crime, and prayed that the anger of 
God might fall on himself, rather than on the people. 1 
Chrou. xxi. 15, 16. 

61 Q. How did God manifest his act i 
him ? 

Jl. He bid the prophet Gad order David to build an 
altar; and otter sacrifices on that mi\ spot of ground 
on the threshing-floor of Oman ; and when David 
ed, fire came from heaven and consumed tin 
1 Chron. xxi. 21—26. 

62 Q. What was the trouble that David met with 
from his son Adonijah r 

Jl. When David was old, Adonijah set himself up 
for king. 1 Kings i. 1, 5. 



€hap. 9. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 83 

63 Q. How came Adonijah to be so insolent ? 

A. His father humoured him too much all his life, and 
never displeased him. ver. 6. 

64 Q. What did David do under this trouble ? 

A. He proclaimed Solomon the son of Bathsheba, 
kingpin his own life-time; and Zadock the priest, and 
Nathan the prophet, anointed him king of Israel, ver, 34, 
38, 39. 

65 Q. Why was Solomon preferred, when he was a 
3 r ounger brother ? 

A. Because God chose him fo the kingdom, and gave 
David some notice of it. 1 Chron. xxii. 8 — 10, and 
xxviii. 5 — 7. 

66 Q. What became of Adonijah? 

A. He submitted to Solomon, who spared him for 
that time, though for a new fault he put him to death af- 
terwards, ver. 50, 53, and ii. 2, 24. 

67 Q. How long did David reign in all ? 

A, Forty years, and then he died in his bed in peace. 
1 Kings ii. 10, 11. 

68 Q. What were David's remarkable characters, 
besides that of a musician, a warrior, and a king ? 

A, He was a great poet and a prophet 2 Sam. xxiii. 

69 Q. Wherein did his skill in poesy appear ? 

A. Not only in his admirable elegy on Saul and 
Jonathan, but on several occasions ; he wrote the most 
part of the book of Psalms, which are the finest pieces of 
ancient poesy, and he was called, the sweet Psalmist of 
Israel. 2 Sam. xxiii. 1. 

70 Q. Wherein doth it appear that he had the gift 
of prophecy ? 

A. Because these Psalms were written by divine in- 
spiration, for in some of them there are many things ev- 
idently foretold concerning Christ. Luke xxiv. 44. 
*$cts ii. 29, 30. 

71 ^. What further evidences are there of his being 
a prophet ? 

A. He had a particular revelation made to him by 
the spirit of God, of the pattern of the temple, which 



84 SCRIPTURE HISTORY, (hap. 10. 

Solomon his son was to build, and of the orders of the 
priests and Levites, and of several things relating to (he 

worship of God, which he gave to his son Solomon. 1 
Chron. xxviii. 11—13, 19. 

72 Q. What did David do towards the building of 
this temple before his death ? » 

Ji. He made a vast preparation of gold and Bllver, 
and jewels, and other materials, and gave the pattern of 
everything to his son Solomon, as he received it of God. 
1 Chron. xxii. 5, 14, an$ xxviii. 11, 19, and xxix. 2. 



CHAP. X. 

Of the Reign of Solomon and Rehoboam over all 
Israel, and the Division of the Nation into two 
Kingdoms. 

1 Q. What was the general character of Solomon r 
Ji. That he was the wisest of men. 1 Kings iii. 12, 

and iv. 31. 

2 Q. Wherein did his wisdom towards God appear r 
Ji. In that he asked not long life, nor riches, nor hon- 
ours, but understanding and knowledge to govern so 
great a people. 1 Kings iii. 7, &c. 

3 Q. What was the first instance of his wisdom in 
the government? 

A. His deciding the quarrel between two women who 
contended about a child, and in giving the child to the 
true mother. 1 Kings iii. 16 — 

4 Q. How did he find out the true mother? 

A. He commanded the child to be divided in two, 
that each woman might have half : then the tenderness ind 
love of the true mother appeared, in yielding uj 
pretensions to it, rather than see it divided. 1 A 
jii. 25. 

5 ^. What special care did Solomon take C 
worship of God ? 

Ji* He built that temple for which David had made 



Chap. 10. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. *5 

so large a preparation. It was a most glorious palace, 
built of cedar and fir, and olive wood, and hewn stone, 
with most amazing expense of gold and silver, and brass, 
and precious stones, both for the adorning of the house 
itself, and for the holy vessels thereof. 1 Kings vi. and 
vii. He built also two distinct courts about it, one for 
the people of Israel, and one for the priests, all which 
were called the temple. 2 Kings xxiii. 12, and 2 Chron. 
iv. 9. 

Nole. In this temple of Solomon there does not seem to be 
any court of the Gentiles, hut only the court of the priests, m 
which the house of God or sanctuary stood, and the court of 
the people, to which all Israel resorted : nor can I find the 
Gentiles forbidden by any express word of God. See 2 Chron. 
vi. 32. One was the outer court, and the other the inner court. 
2 Chron. iv. 9, and 1 Kings vi. 36. Nor were the people ex- 
cluded from the inner court. See 2 Chron. xxxiii. 10. In the 
second temple, which was built by Zerubbabel, after the cap- 
tivity, we do not read of any court of the Gentiles at the 
building of it. But in following years, when there were 
more frequent communications and transactions with Gentiles, 
there was a partition made, called Chel, to divide them from 
the Jews, and the other part of the outer court was left for the 
Gentiles. In the temple which Herod built, and which was in 
our Saviour's time, there was a court made on purpose for the 
Gentiles, and those Jews which were unclean. But this divi- 
sion does not sufficiently appear to be of divine appointment, 
though it must be confessed, the partition wall, in Eph. ii. 14, 
seems to refer to it. 

6 Q. In what form did he build it ? 

A. In imitation of the tabernacle of Moses and the 
court thereof, but with vast and universal improvement 
in the grandeur, riches, and magnificence of it, by the 
pattern that David his father received from God, and 
gave to him. 1 Chron. xxii. 5, and xxviii. 11, 19. 

7 Q. On what spot of ground did he build it? 

J. On Mount Moriah, not very far from Mount Zi- 
on in Jerusalem : it was the place where Abraham was 
called to offer his son Isaac, and where God appeared to 
David when he stopped the pestilence. 2 Chron. Hi. 1, 
■and Gen. xxii. 2, and gave him a miraculous token of hi« 
9 



86 SCRIPTURE HIS TORY. < ; 



acceptance, by fire from heaven consuming his sicnfiee. 

I C fir on. xv. 

JVotc. Though the temple wae built on Mount MoriaJ 
i i of Zion is stiH pr< h rved by the follow 
the place of I nd had 

written bo Much in hia Psaln 

and tabernacle stood in bis days, and made the name familiar 
to the people; and partly because Zion waa literally tin < ity 
of David, and, in u tj ji<;d -. n«e, i 1 v city or resid* m e of < 'hrist. 
And indeed Zion and Moriali ma> h< accounted hut tv 
iinot heads of t! e ?ame mountain ; and though tl ■ 

ween them, Solomon joined them by a ! 
might easily pass from hia palace in Zion to the tempb . 
phus makes mention of it more than once. 

8 Q. How did Solomon dedicate this temple to God r 
A. By assembling all the men of Israel, by bringing 

thither the ark and the holy things from Zion, by i de- 
vout prayer to God, by music and praises, by a h 
seven days, and a vast number of sacrifices. 1 / 
viii. and 2 Chrun. vi. and vii. 

9 Q. In what manner did God shew his approbation 
of it? 

A. He filled the house with a cloud of glory, to rep- 
resent his taking possession of it ; he sent fire down from 
heaven to consume the sacrifices; and lie appeared in 
die night to Solomon, and assured him he had heard his 
prayer, and chosen that place for a house of sacrifice to 
himself. 2 ('hron.\\\. 1 — 3, 12. 

10 Q. Wherein did God bless the reign of Solomon ? 
A. By giving him prodigious treasures and ma 

cent state, and spreading the fame of his greatnc 
wisdom over all nations. 1 Kings x. 

11 ({. What peculiar honours were done to him on 
this account r 

A. The princes round about him coveted his friend- 
ship, and gave him their assistance and in. 
and the queen of Sheba tamo to visil him. 1 A* 
and x. 

12 Q. What satisfaction did she find in this vil 



Chap. 10. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 87 

A. She was astonished at the sight of his grandeur 
and wisdom, and confessed that the one half of it was 
not told her. 1 Kings x. 1— 10. 

13 i-l. Wherein did Solomon displease God after- 
wards ? 

A. In process of time he forgot his great obligations 
to God; he took wives and concubines in multitudes, 
and that out of the idolatrous nations ; and by them his 
heart was so far led away after other gods, that he built 
places of worship for them very near Jerusalem, and of- 
fered sacrifices to them. See 1 Kings xi. i — 9. 

14 Q. How did God punish him for it? 

A. He stirred up several enemies against him, and par- 
ticularly Jeroboam, his own servant. See 1 Kings xi. 
14, 23, 26. 

15 Q. What was Jeroboam's own pretence for dis- 
turbing the government ? 

A. The building of some expensive palace for Pha- 
raoh's daughter, who was his queen, and the raising heavy- 
taxes for that and other buildings. 1 Kings ix. 24, xi. 
27, xii. 4. 

Note. Jeroboam doth not appear to charge Solomon with 
promoting idolatry, or with breaking the laws of God in divine 
worship ; for he himself did so afterwards, when he Avas king of 
Israel ; which was a high provocation in the eyes of God, both 
in Solomon and Jeroboam. 

16 Q. And how far did God encourage Jeroboam in 
this opposition to Solomon ? 

A. Abijah the prophet, being sent of God, caught 
hold of Jeroboam's garment when he met him in the 
field, and rent it into twelve pieces, and gave ten of them 
to Jeroboam. 1 Kings xi. 29, &c. 

17 Q. What was the meaning of this? 

A. The prophet told him, that God had given him 
ten of the tribes of Israel, and had left the posterity of 
Solomon one tribe, that is, Judah and Benjamin, which 
were afterwards united into one under the name of Jews. 
1 Kings xi. 31, and xii. 20, 21, and 2 Chron. xi. 12. 

18 Q. Was this fulfilled in Solomon's days ? 



88 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. lu. 

A. No ; for it pleased God to withhold these calam- 
ities from the house of Solomon till the d;iv 
ver. 23. 

19 (f. Did Solomon ever repent of his ami tha 
voked the anger of God against him? 

A. It is generally supposed that the book of E< 
astes is a sort of proof that Solomon repented, be 
he there describes the vanity of every labour and ever) 
enjoyment under the sun, and sums up all in the 
of God and keeping his commandments, as the whole 
duty and chief interest of man. Eccle. i. and ii. and 
\-ii. 13, 14. 

20 Q. How long did Solomon reign r 

A. Forty years ; and though he had such a shameful 
number of wives and concubines, yet he left but one son 
behind him, whose name was Rehoboam, to succeed him 
in the kingdom of Israel. 1 Kings xi. S, 43. 

21 Q. What was the character of Rehoboam ? 

A. Though Solomon had written so many excellent 
lessons of morality and piety for his son in the book of 
Proverbs, and given him so many warnings, yet he fol- 
lowed evil courses; and Solomon him- to inti- 
mate it in the book of Ecclesiastes, Chap. W. 19. Who 
knoweih whether his son will be a wise man or a fool S 

£2 ({. What further occasion did Rehoboam 
tor the revolt of the tribes of Israel from him r 

J. Upon the death of his father, and hi 
to the throne, he despised the counsel of (he »»ld men, 
and hearkened to the advice of rash young men ; he 
threatened the nation of Israel to make their yoke heav- 
ier than his father had done, that is, to lay heaviei 
upon them. I Kings xii. 8, &c. 

S3 ({. What followed upon this threatening of king 
Rehoboam ? 

i. AH the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benja- 
min, made Jeroboam their kin<;: and thus the nation was 
divided into two kingdoms, which were afterwards) 
die kingdom of Judah, and the kingdom o\ I 
Kings ••!!. 15, P.O. - Citron. \\. 11. i \ 



Chap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 89 

CHAP. XL 

Of the Kings of Israel. 

1 Q. How many kings reigned over Israel after they 
were separated from Judah ? 

A. These nineteen, and not one of them were good y 
Jeroboam the first, Nadab, Baashah, Elah, Zimri, Omri, 
Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jerobo- 
am the second, Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, 
Pekah and Hoshea. 

2 Q. Who were the most remarkable among these 
kings of Israel ? 

J. Jeroboam the first, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehu, 
Joash. Pekah, and Hoshea. 

3 (£. What was the chief character and crime of 
Jeroboam ? 

A. Instead of worshipping God w r ho dwelt between 
the cherubs in the temple at Jerusalem, he made two 
golden images, which are called calves, and set them up 
in two distant parts of the land of Israel, namely, Dan 
and Bethel, and taught the people to worship before them* 
1 Kings xii. 28—30. 

4 Q. What was the worship he appointed ? 

A. Something like the worship which God appointed 
at Jerusalem, with an altar, and priests, and sacrifices., 
and incense, ver. 32. 

5 Q. Wherein did it differ from the worship at Jeru- 
salem ? 

Ji. Besides the forsaking of the temple and the place 
which God appointed^ he also made priests of the lowest 
of the people, instead of the sons of Levi, and ordained 
feasts at a different time from that which God had ap- 
pointed, and set up the images of calves to represent 
the presence of God. ver, 23, 32, and 2 Chron. xi. 6 ? 
and xii. 13, and xiii. 8, 9. 

Note. Here it is not "to be supposed that Jeroboam- forsook 
the God of Israel, and taught the people to worship aiere 
calves ; hut only that he devised of has own h-eart other times 
9* 



90 8CMPTURK HISTORY. Chap. 11. 

and place?, and oth< r forms and circumstances of woi 
be paid to the God of Israel ; and thai by in 
which wort- probablj the 6gures of the cheroba on the dm n \- 
seat, where God dwelt; but the Scripture in contempt 
them calves. See Chap. V. Qu. 37, and Chap. VII. f, 
And the worship is called dolatry and (hi worship 
The prophet Hosea, who lived in the days of Jerobo 
second, the son of Jbash, perpetually rebukes this sin of idola- 
try, and inveighs against these idob, tin taht-. Hvs. i. 1, and 
chop. viii. 3, 5, and chap. x. 5, and xiii. 2. 

6 Q. For what end did Jeroboam do this ? 

A. He feared, if the people went up frequently to 
sacrifice at Jerusalem, they would be tempted to return 
again to Rehoboam king of Judah. ver. 26, 27, 28. 

7 Q. What visible token of displeasure did God 
manifest against this worship which Jeroboam set up ? 

A. He sent a prophet to the altar at Bethel, who 
foretold that a son of the house of David, Josiah by name, 
should burn the bones of Jeroboam's priests upon the al- 
tar. 1 Kings xiii. 1, 2. 

8 Q. What sign did the prophet give that this pro- 
phecy should be fulfilled ? 

A. The prophet foretold that the altar should be rent 
asunder, and the ashes poured out, both which were ful- 
filled immediately: and Jeroboam's hand withered when 
he stretched it out to lay hold of the prophet, ver. 3, 4, 
&c though at the prayer of the prophet, God restored it 
again. 

9 Q. What other token did God give of his anger 
against Jeroboam r 

A, God threatened Jeroboam and his family with ut- 
ter destruction, so that none of them should find a g 
besides Abijah his youngest son, because there 
found in him some good inclinations toward the God of 
Israel. 1 TCings xix. 13. 

10 Q. Who was Omri ? 

A. The captain of the host of Israel, who was made 
king by the people when Zimi i set up himself. 1 A 
xvi. lo. 

11 Q. W T hat is recorded concerning Omri ? 

A, (1.) That he besieged Zimri his predecessor so 



Chap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. $L 

closely in Tirzah, the royal city, that Zimri burnt himself 
and the palace together, and died. (2.) That he built 
Samaria for the royal city, on a hill. And (3.) That he 
walked in all the sinful ways of Jeroboam, ver. 17 — 28. 

12 Q. Who was Ahab, and what was his character? 

Jl. Ahab was the son of Omri, who followed the wick- 
ed ways of his predecessors ; he sinned against God and 
man grieviously, and provoked God beyond all who were 
before him. ver. 29 — S3, and 1 Kings xxi. 25. 

13 ^. How did God signify his displeasure against 
Ahab ? 

A. He sent Elijah the prophet to reprove him, and to 
foretel that there should be neither dew nor rain for sev- 
eral years, which accordingly came to pass. 1 Kings 
xvii. 1. 

14 Q. How was Elijah himself fed during this fam- 
ine? 

Jl. He was appointed to hide himself by the brook 
Cherith, and the ravens brought him bread and flesh in 
the morning and the evening, and he drank of the water 
of the brook, ver. 5, 6. 

15 Q. Whither did the prophet go when the brook 
was dried up ? 

Jl. God sent him to a woman of Sarepta near Sidon, 
to be maintained by her, when she had only a handful of 
meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruise. 1 Kings 
xvii. 9, &c. 

16 Q. How could this maintain the woman, her son> 
and the prophet ? 

Jl. God wonderfully increased the oil and the meal, 
so that the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the 
cruise of oil fail, till God sent rain upon the land. ver. 
14, &c. 

17 Q. What further miracles did Elijah work in 
this woman's family, to prove that he was sent from 
God? 

Jl. "When her son died, the prophet raised him to 
life again, ver. 21 — 24. 

18 Q. W x hat special deliverance did God give Israel 
in the time of Ahab ? 



92 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 11. 

Ji. Though Ahab was so great a sinner, v.t Oo| 
made Israel victorious over the Syrians who invaded 
them, because Benhadad the king of Syria boasted* and 
blasphemed God. 1 lungs xx. 10, 28. 

19 Q. What were some of the special sins of Ahab 
against God ? 

.1. Besides the idolatry of the calves, he also se< Up 
the idol Baal, he caused Israel to worship it, and by the 
influence of his wife Je/,ebel, slew a jjreat number of the 
prophets of the Lord. 1 Kings xviii. 4. 

20 ({. Were any of the prophets of the Lord - 

A. Obadiah, the governor of Ahab's house, hid a 
hundred of them in two caves, and M them with bread 
and water, while Elijah tied wheresoever lie could find 
a hiding place, ver. 5, 0, 10. 

21 $ How did Elijah bring about the destruction of 
Baal's prophets ? 

A. He boldly met Ahab, and bid him summon all Is- 
rael together, and the four hundred and fifty proph 
Baal, that a sacrifice might be ottered to Baal and to Je- 
hovah, to make an experiment which was the tree I 

22 Q. How did he convince the people that Jehovah 
was the true God ? 

A. Fire came from heaven and consumed Elijah's 
sacrifice, after he had poured great quantities ol 
upon it ; which the prophets of Baal attempted in \ain 
to procure on their altar, though they cut thems 
with knives, and cried aloud to their god. 1 A 
xviii. 17 — 58. 

23 ({. What influence had this upon the people ? 
A. They fell upon their faces, and a< knowleog 

hovah "to be the true God ; and then at the command ot 
Elijah, the people slew all the prophets of Baal. 
39, 40. 

24 Q. How did God further manifest his approbation 
of this conduct of Elijah .- 

Ji. He immedi.iteU -cot rain, and put an end I 
famine. Oer. 41, 45. 

2" (}. \\"1rit v. a- one of the most remarkable N 
Ahab against man ? 



Chap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 93 

A. He coveted the vineyard of Naboth, and by the 
help of false witnesses stoned Naboth to death for blas- 
phemy, and took possession of his land. 1 Kings xxi. 
5—14, 

c 26 Q. "What was the manner of Ahab's death at last, 
after so wicked a life ? 

A. In opposition to the prophecy of Micaiah he went 
to fight with the king of Syria, and received a mortal 
wound. 1 Kings xxii. 34. 

27 ({. Wherein did the judgment of God against 
Ahab appear in his death r 

d. The dogs licked up his blood on that spot of 
ground where IS aboth's blood was shed, according to the 
prophecy of Elijah. 1 Kings xxi. 19, and xxii. 38. 

28 Q. What sort of a man was Ahaziah ? 

A. Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, who succeeded him in 
his kingdom, followed his wicked ways. 1 Kings xxii. 51. 

29 ({. What particular crimes of Ahaziah are re- 
corded ? 

A. When he was sick, he sent to inquire of Baalze- 
bub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery ; and because 
Elijah reproved him for it, he sent three captains each 
with fifty men, to make Elijah their prisoner. 2 Kings 
i. 1,9. 

30 Q. What did Elijah do on this occasion? 

A. He brought down fire from heaven, which consum- 
ed the two first of them with their troops, but he spared 
the third upon his entreaty, and then went down with 
him to king Ahaziah, and told him that he should surely 
die. ver. 9—16. 

31 (£. How did Elijah leave the world? 

A. He was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, by a 
chariot and horses of fire, and left his mantle behind him. 
2 Kings ii. 

3 2 ^. Who succeeded Elij ah in the office of prophet ? 
A. Elisha, who was with him when he was taken up 

to heaven, and had a double portion of the spirit of Eli- 
jah given him. ver. 9, 10. 

33 Q. What were some of the chief miracles and 
prophecies of Elisha r 



94 SCRIPTUIE HISTORY. (hap. II. 

Jl. (I.) He smote the waters of Jordan with Elijah's 
mantle, Baying, Where is the Lord God <>f I 
and the Waters divided for him to ; 
cured the unwholesome water near Jericho, by a 
salt into it. (3.) lie cursed some children I 
and reproached him, and there came t\ 
the wood and tore t;> pieces forty-two of tnei 
brought water in a time of dru 

mies, namely, those of Edom,Judah, and Israel. ("».) He 
increased the widow's pot of oil that 
pay her debts and maintain her. [ . 
son to the Shunamite woman who entertain 
was before barren, and raised this son to life 
he died. (J.) He healed Naaman the Syrian <>l his le- 
prosy, by bidding him wash, in Jordan. (8.) lie pro- 
nounced the plague of leprosy on Gehazi, his own servant 
for his covetousness and lying. (°.) He made the iron 
head of an axe float on the water that it inig 
ed to its owner. (10.) He discovered the king of S 
private counsels to the king of Israel, and smot< 
my with blindness. (11.) lie foretold \ on the 

morrow, in the midst of a siege and famine in Samaria. 
flS.) He foretold the death of Benhadad the king of 
Syria, and that Hazael should succeed him, and treat 
Israel with cruelty. See the second book- of fCing8,from 
the second to the eiglilh chapter. 

34 Q. Who was Jehu, and how came he to the king- 
dom ? 

A, Jehu was a captain, who was anointed king by the 
prophet whom Elisha sent for that purpose, according to 
the appointment of God and Elijah. 1 A 7 
and 2 Kuigs \x. 1,2, &c. 

35 ((. What was the great work for which Gqd 
ed up Jehu to the kingdom r 

JL To destroy the worship of Baal, and to bring the 
threatened judgments of God on the house of Aha 
their wickedness, ver. 7. 

36 Q. How did Jehu execute this bloody work 
the house of Ahab ? 

Ji. These three ways ; (1.) He shot Jehoram, ti 



Chap. 11. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. go- 

of Ahab, who was then king, with an arrow, and cast 
him upon the land of Naboth, whom Ahab slew. (2.) He 
commanded Jezebel, the wicked and idolatrous queen- 
mother, to be thrown out of the window, and the dogs 
eat her up. (3.) He ordered the seventy remaining sons 
of Ahab to be slain in Samaria, and their heads to be 
brought him in baskets. 2 Kings ix. and x. 

37 Q. How did he destroy the worship of Baal ? 

A. He gathered the prophets of Baal, and his priests 
and his worshippers together, into his temple, under pre- 
tence of a great sacrifice to Baal ; and then commanded 
them all to be slain with the sword, and the image to 
be burnt, and the temple to be destroyed, ver. 18 — 28. 

38 Q. Did Jehu continue to obey God in. all things ? 
A. No ; for though he executed the vengeance of 

God against Ahab, and the worshippers of Baal, yet he 
maintained the idolatry of Jeroboam, namely, the calves 
of Dan and Bethel, ver. 29, 30. 

39 q. Who was Joash ? 

A. He was the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, and 
lie reigned over Israel. 2 Kings xiii. 10. 

40 Q. What is remarkable in his conduct ? 

A. When Elisha was upon his death-bed, he came 
down to see him, and wept over him, yet he departed 
not from the sins of Jeroboam, ver, 14. 

41 ({. What did he do for the good of Israel ? 

A. According to the prophecy of dying Elisha, he 
smote the Syrians thrice, who had oppressed Israel in 
the cfeys of his father, ver. 15, 19 — 25. 

42 Q. Is there any thing of moment recorded con- 
cerning Elisha after his death ? 

A. They buried a "man the year following in the se- 
pulchre of Elisha, and as soon as he touched the bones of 
Elisha, he revived and stood upon his feet. ver. 21. 

43 Q. What did Joash do against Judah ? 

A. When Amaziah king of Judah provoked him to 
war, he routed the army of Judah, and took the king 
prisoner : he brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and 
plundered the house of the Lord, and the king^s house, 
of all the gold and silver vessels. 2 Kings xiv. 8 — 14. 



96 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( bap. 1 1 

44 Q. Was there any considerable thing fell out in 
the reign of Pekah ? 

Ji. This Pekah joined with the kinj* of* Syria to in- 
vade Judah, but he was repulsed: in his days, Tiglath- 
Pileser, king of Assyria, took many cities in Galilee, 
and earned many of the people captive to Assyria. 2 
Kings xiv. -29, and xvi. 5 — 9. 

45 Q. Who was Hoshea, and what is recorded of 
him ? 

Ji. He was the last king of Israel ; he slew Pekah 
and made himself king;. i 2 Kings w. 30. 

46 Q. How came the kingdom to end in him r 

Ji. In his days Shalmaneser king of Assyria, took the 
city of Samaria, bound Hoshea the king in prison, car- 
ried multitudes of Israel captive into Assyria, and dis- 
tributed them into several distant countries, from which 
they have never returned to this dav. 2 Kings w\\. 
}— 6, 23. 

47 Q. What provoked Shalmaneser to do this ? 

Ji. Hoshea had submitted to him, and afterwards 
plotted and rebelled against him. ver. 3, 4. 

48 Q. What provoked God to punish Israel f; 
Ji. The people of Israel, with all their kings, 

their separation from the house of David, had been guilty 
of continual idolatry, in opposition to the many pn 
and warnings of God, by the writings of Moses, and the 
voice of all the prophets, ver. 7 — IS. 

49 Q.^ What became of Samaria, and the other citie- 
of Israel, when the people were driven out of them ? 

Ji. Several of the heathen nations were placed 
and each worshipped their own trod- and idols-, where- 
fore the Lord sent lions amongst them, and destroyed 
many of them. vet. 24 — 31. 

50 Q. What was done upon this occasion (o ap] 
the anger of God, and save the people from the lio 

Ji. The kin« of Assyria sent a Jewish priest thither 
to teach them the worship of the God of Israel. I •• 

51 ({. What was the effect of this conduct <>l the 
king of Assyria : 

.?. These nations feared the God of Israel, ai i 



Chap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 97 

they could not lay aside their own idolatries, for they 
continued to serve their own graven images also in ma- 
ny following generations, ver. 41. 

52 Q. But did they always continue in this mixed 
kind of religion ? 

A. In process of time they forsook their idols, wor- 
shipped the true God only, and submitted themselves to 
the Jewish religion, so as to receive the five books of 
Moses : they had a temple of their own built on Mount 
Gerizim, and in the New Testament are called Samari- 
tans. 



CHAP. XII. 

Of the Kings of Judah. 

1 Q. How many kings and rulers reigned over 
Judah? 

A, Twenty; namely, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Je- 
lioshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah the queen, Joash, 
Amaziah, Uzziah, Jothan, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, 
Anion, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and 
Zedekiah. 

2 Q. Were all these rulers of Judah also great sin- 
ners, as well as the kings of Israel ? 

A, A few of them Mere very religious, some very 
kicked, and others of an indifferent or mixed character. 

3 (£. What fell out in Rehoboam's reign, after the 
ten tribes had made Jeroboam their king ? # 

Jl. W hen Rehoboam raised a great army out of Ju- 
dah and Benjamin to recover the ten tribes, God by his 
prophet forbid them to proceed. 1 Kings xii. 22 — 25. 

4 Q. Were there no wars then between Judah and 
Israel ? 

Ji. Yes ; in the following times there were bloody 
wars between them. 

5 Q. How did the people of Judah behave themselves 
under the government of Rehoboam ? 

10 ^ 



98 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 1% 

A They fell into idolatry and shameful sins, where- 
upon God was angry, and Shishack kinjr of Egypt plun- 
dered the temple and the king's house <>f their tre 
in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign. 1 AV 
So short-lived was the supreme grandeur and gfc 
the Jewish church and stare. 

6 Q. Did Abijah the son of Rehoboam 3o any thing 
remarkable in his reign r 

A. He made a speech, and pleaded against Israel, 
when Jeroboam led them to war against him ; he reprov- 
ed them for their departure from the true worship of 
God, and from the house of David ; and when they 
would not hearken, but set upon him in battle, he and 
his army cried unto the Lord, and shouted, and slew five 
hundred thousand men. A brave example of divine 
success! 2 Chron. xiii. 4 — 17. 

7 Q. What is recorded concerning Asa, the son of 
Abijah, and king of Judah ? 

A. That he did what was rij^ht in the eyes oi" the 
Lord, and destroyed the idols which had been set up in 
the land. 2 Chron. xiv. 1 — 5. 

8 Q. What token of favour did God shew him r 

•£, When he called upon the Lord, and trusted in 
him, he defeated the army of the Ethiopians, who 
against him, though they were a thousand thousand, ver. 
9—15. 

9 Q. Did Asa continue all his days to fear the Lord r 
A, In his old age he fell into distrust of God, and 

he gave the treasure that remained in the house of God, 
and in the king's house, to the king of Syria, to g 
jrnd help him against Baasha the king of Israel ; and he 
imprisoned the prophet which reproved him for it. 2 
Chron. xvi. 1 — 10. 

10 (j. What is remarkable in Asa's death ? 

A. That in the disease of his feet (which is sup] 
iobc the gout) lie sougld not the Lord, but only I 
physicians : and he slept with his fathers, ver. 11— 

11 ((. How did his son Jeho-haj> 
'd the kin^diun : 






Chap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 9$ 

J. He walked in the first and best ways of his father 
David, and God was with him. 2 Chron. xviii. 3. 

12 Q. Wherein did Jehoshaphat more particularly 
discover his piety and goodness ? • 

Jl. He appointed Levites and priests throughout all 
the cities of Judah, to teach the law of the Lord ; and 
he set judges in the land with a solemn charge to do 
justice without bribery. 2 Chron. xvii. 7— -9, and xix. 
5— -1,1. 

13 Q. Wherein did God manifest his special favour 
to Jehoshaphat ? 

w2. God gave him very great treasures, and the fear 
of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms round about Ju- 
dah, so that for many years they made no war upon him. 
2 Chron. xvii. 10 — 19. 

14 (?. W T herein did he offend God ? 

«#.. In joining in alliance with Ahab the wicked king 
of Israel, whereby he was in great danger of being slain 
in a battle against the Syrians. 2 Chron. xviii. 1, 31, 
and xix. 2. 

15 ^. When Moab and Amnion joined their forces 
against Jehoshaphat, how was he delivered from them ? 

A. He proclaimed a fast through the land, and in the 
midst of the people he prayed earnestly to the Lord* 
and when he went out to battle, he appointed the singer* 
before the army, to sing praises to the Lord. 2 Chron. 
xx. 1—21. 

16 Q. What was the effect of this pious practice? 
A. When they began to sing and to pray, his ene- 
mies fell upon one another till they were all slain, ver. 

17 Q. Did Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, imitate 
his father's government in piety ? 

Jl. By no means ; for he slew all his own brethren, 
he walked in the ways of Ahab king of Israel, and took 
his daughter Athaliah to wife. 2 Chron. xxi. 1 — 7. 

18 (£. How did God testify his displeasure against 
Jehoram ? 

S. He smote Jehoram with such an incurable dig- 



100 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, l : 

temper, that his bowels fell out, and he died 
eases, ver. 15 — 19. 

19 Q. Who succeeded Jehoram in the kingdom ? 
*U Ahaziah his youngest son, for all his « 

slain in the camp by the Arabians. 2 Vhrotu xxii. 1. 

20 Q. What was the behaviour and the fate of 
ziah king of Judah r 

i9. He followed the evil practices of the houi 
Ahab, by the persuasions of his mother Athaliah, who 
was the grand-daughter of Omri ; and when he wei 
with Jehoram, the king of Israel, against Jehu, he wa* 
slain by Jehu. 2 Chron. xxii. 1 — 9. 

21 Q. "Who succeeded to the throne of Judah when 
Ahaziah was dead ? 

A. Athaliah his mother seized the kingdom, and de- 
stroyed all the seed-royal of the house of Judah, • 
Joash, the 9on of Ahaziah, an infant of a year old, who 
was hid in the temple. 2 Chron, xxii. 2, 1*0 — 12. 

22 Q. How did Athaliah reign r 

Ji. As she counselled her son Ahaziah before, so she 
herself practised the idolatry of the house of Aba 
Chron. xxii. 3, 17, and xxiv. 7. 

23 ({. How was Athaliah deposed : 

A. Jehoida the high priest stirred up the captains of 
the army, the Levites, and the chief of the people . \ 
her : he set Joash on the throne when he was 
years old, anointed and proclaimed him king, then order- 
ed the guards to slay Athaliah, and destroyed the wor- 
ship of "Baal. 2 Chron. xxiii. 1 — 15, 

24 Q. What was the conduct of Joash in hlfi 
ernment ? 

Ji, He did that which was right in the si^ht 
Lord all the days of Jehoida the priest, who 
< le ; he repaired the temple, and the vessels thereof, and 
restored the worship of God. 2 Chron. xxiv. 1 — 15. 

25 ({. How did Joash behave after Jehoida's de 
Ji. He was persuaded to change the worship ol 

for idols, and most ungratefully slew Zechariah, tin 
of Jehoida, because he reproved the idolatrj 
pie. 2 Chron, xxiv. 17—22, Matt. x\. 



4 



Chap. IS* SCRIPTURE HISTORY. i0% 

26 Q. 1,11 what manner did God punish him for his 
crime ? 

A. He sent an army of the Syrians against him, who 
pillaged the country ; he smote him with sore diseases, 
and at last his own servants slew him on his bed. ver. 
23—26. 

27 Q. How did Amaziah the son of Joash reign ? 
Ji. At first he seemed to work righteousness, and 

hearkened to the voice of God and his prophets; but 
afterwards, gaining a victory over the Edomites, he learnt 
to worship the gods of Edom. 2 Chron. xxv. 1 — 16. 

28 Q„. How came Amaziah to meet his ruin and his 
death > 

Ji. Being puifed up with his success against Edom, 
he challenged the king of Israel to battle, and was rout- 
ed shamefully, and was slain at last by a conspiracy of 
his own people. 2 Chron. xxv. 17 — 28. 

29 Q. What was the character and reign of Uzziah 
the king ? 

A. He was made king at sixteen years old, in the 
room of his father Amaziah ; he sought after God in the 
days of Zechariah the prophet, and God prospered his 
arms against all his enemies, and made his name great. 
2 Chron.- xxri.l — 15. 

Note. This was several hundred years before that Zechariah 
who prophecied after the captivity. 

30 Q. Wherein did he provoke God afterwards ? 

Ji. His heart was lifted up by his prosperity, and he^ 
assumed the priest's office, and burnt incense in the tem- 
ple, though the priests opposed him. ver. 16. 

31 Q. What was his punishment lor this crime ? 

Jl. While he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, 
the leprosy rose up in his forehead, and he continued a 
leper till his death, ver 19. 

52 Q. Is there any thing very remarkable in the 
reign of. Jotham, the son of Uzziah ? 

Ji. He was a good king, and God blessed his arms, 
so that he brought the Ammonites under tribute, 2 Chron,, 
xxvii. 1 — 6. 

10* 



102 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Ci.v 

33 Q. How did Ahaz the son of Jotham behave him- 
self? 

A. He walked in the ways of the kin-- 
made images for Baal, and ottered his children in 
fice by fire, after the abominations of the heath- 
Chron. xxviii. 1 — 4. 

34 Q. How did God shew Ids displeasure* a-_ 
Ahaz ? 

A. His land was invaded by the king of Syria, and 
by the king of Israel ; multitudes of his people 
slain, and many captives were carried to Damascus and 
to Samaria, though the Israelites restored their captives 
again at the word of the prophet Oded. ver. 5 — 15. 

35 Q. What further iniquities of Ahaz are recorded i 
A. That he set aside the brazen altar which v 

fore the Lord, and set up another in the court of the 
temple, according to the pattern of an altar he had seen 
at Damascus, and at last fell in with the idolatry i 
heathen nations. 2 Kings xvi. 10. 3 Chron, xxviii. 

36 Q. What was one particular aggravation of his 
crimes r 

A. That even in the time of his distress, he sinned the 
more against God ; and because God did not help him. 
he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus ; he cut in pieces 
the vessels of the house of God, shut up the doors of the 
temple, and set up idols in Jerusalem, and through all 
the land. 2 Chron. xxviii. 22 — 25. 

37 Q. Did Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, continue in 
the sins of his father? 

A. No; but he made a great reformation, not only in 
Judah, but also'in Ephraim and Manasseh ; he brake the 
images, cut down the groves, destroyed their altar-, re- 
paired the temple, and restored the worship of the tree 
God there. 2 Chron. xxix. and xxxi. 

38 Q. What peculiar instance did he give of his zeal 
against all manner of idolatry r 

A. He brake in pieces the brazen serpent that M 
had made in thewilderness, because the people burnt in- 
cense to it 2 Kings xviii. 4. 

39 ^. In what manner did he keep the pass-over : 



Chap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 103 

Ji. He sent to ail Israel, as well as to Judah, to in- 
vite them to keep the pass-over at Jerusalem, according 
to the appointment of God. 2 Chron. xxx. 

Though Hezekiah king of Judah, began this reformation in 
the first year of his reign, yet it might not be carried to this 
height till the sixth or seventh year, at which time there was no 
king in Israel ; Hoshea, the last king, being taken and imprison- 
ed by the king of Assyria, and a great part of the people being 
carried into captivity, in the sixth year of Hezekiah's reign. 
See 2 Chron. xxix. 3, and 2 Kings xviii. 9 — 11. 

40 Q. Did the other tribes of Israel come at his in- 
vitation ? 

Ji. Some mocked the message, but many out of sev- 
eral tribes came to the pass-over, so that there was not 
the like since the time of Solomon, ver. 18 — 26. 

41 Q. Were all these people sufficiently purified to 
keep the pass-over ? 

Ji. No ; but at the prayer of Hezekiah, the Lord par- 
doned and accepted them, though several things in this 
pass-over were not exactly conformable to the holy insti- 
tution, ver. 18—20. 

42 Q- Wherein did God shew his acceptance of 
Hezekiah's zeal and piety ? 

Ji. God prospered him in his wars against his ene- 
mies, and enabled him to cast oft' the yoke of the king of 
Assyria while he trusted in him. 2 Kings xvii. 7, 8. 

43 Q. Wliat weakness was Hezekiah guilty of after- 
ward, when Sennacherib king of Assyria invaded Judah ?■■ 

Ji. He bribed him to depart, with gold and silver 
taken from the house of God. ver 15 — 16. 

44 Q. What success had this conduct of Hezekiah ?. 

Ji. Very ill success ; for some few years after, Sen- 
nacherib sent an army to take Jerusalem. 2 Kings 
xviii. 9—13, 17. 

45 Q. What did Hezekiah do in this distress ? 

Ji. W"hen Sennacherib sent Rabshakeh with blasphe- 
mies against God, and threatenings against the people, 
Hezekiah humbled himself greatly, and spread the rail- 
ing letter before the Lord in the temple, and prayed 
earnestly to God for deliverance. 2 Kings xviii. and xix. 



J04 SCRIFrURE HISTORY. Cha 

45 Q. What was the success of Ilezekiah's pra 
Ji. Isaiah the pi«»|>h«-t assured hini of deliva 
and the angel of tne Lord slew in the camp of il 
Syrians, one hundred and fourscore and live thousand 
men at once. 2 Kings xix. 20 — 85. 

47 ({. What further favour did Hezekiah receive 
from God ? 

A. When he was sick, near to death, God heard Ida 
prayer, and assured him he should live fifteen years long- 
er: 2 ICings xx. 1 — 16. 

48 Q. What sign did God give him to confirm kia 
faith in this promise ? 

»tf. The shadow returned backward ten degn 
on the dial of Ahaz. irr. 8 — 1 1. 

49 ({. Wherein did Hezekiah misbehave him- 
ter he had received all this mercy I 

Jl. In the vanity and pride of his heart, he shewed 
the messengers of the king of Babylon all I 
ver 12, 13, and 2 Chron. xxiv. 31. 

50 Q. How was Hezekiah's pride punished ? 

Jl. God told him by the prophet Isaiah, that all these 
treasures should be carried into Babylon : but be 
Hezekiah humbled himself, God deferred the execution 
of it till after his death. 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26. 

51 Q. What was the character and the government 
of his son Manasseh ? 

Jl. He forsook the good ways of his father Hezekiah ; 
he brought in idolatry of many kind> ; he worshipped 
the sun, moon, and stars; he made his son pas- (faroogh 
the fire: he used enchantments, and shed much inno 
blood. 2 Kings xxi. 2 — 16. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 

52 Q. How were his transgressions punished : 

Jl. The captains of the hosl of Assyria came up again-; 
Manasseh, took him among the thorns, bound him with 
fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 1 1. 

53 ^. How did Manasseh behave in his affliction r 
Jl. He humbled himself greatlv before God in pi 

whereupon God restored him to his kingdom, where he 
wrought a great reformation, ver. 12 — H>. 

54 Q. What is written concerning Anion the son ori 
Manasseh ? 



Chap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 105 

Jl. Am on restored the idolatry which Manasseh had 
once set up, but he never repented or returned to God 
as his father had done, and he was slain by his own ser- 
vants. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 20 — 25. 

55 Q. What is worthy of notice in the reign of Jo- 
siah the son of Anion ? 

Si. At eight years old he began his reign, at sixteen he 
sought after God, and at twenty he destroyed the altar 
and idols which his father Amon, the son of Manasseh, 
set up. 2 Kings xxiii. S — 14. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 1 — 7., 

56 Q. How did he carry on this work of reformation t 
A. He repaired the temple, and restored the worship 

of God ; and finding a book of the law of the Lord by 
Moses, he rent his clothes, and mourned to think how 
little this law had been observed, ver. 18, 19. 

57 Q. What further use did he make of this book ? 

«/2. He lead the words of it in the ears of all the el- 
ders of Judah, and the people, the priests, and the pro- 
phets, and made a covenant with the people of Judah, to 
perforin what was written in this book. 2 Kings 
xxiii. 2, 3. 

58 Q. Did he make also any reformation in Israel ? 
A. The kingdom of Israel being now destroyed by the 

king of Assyria, Josiah spread his influence over those 
who remained in the land, and many of Israel as well as 
of Judah, came to keep the pass-over. 2 Chron. xxxv. 17. 

59 Q. Were not many of Israel present also at 
Hezekiah's pass-over ? Wherein then did this pass-over 
of Josiah exceed that in the days of Hezekiah ? 

A. In the exact conformity of it to all the rules ap- 
pointed by Moses, so that no such pa;js-over had been 
kept since the days of Samuel the prophet. 2 Chron. 
xxxv. 18. 

60 Q. Did Josiah destroy all the remainder of the 
idolatrv of Israel, which Jeroboam set up at Dan and 
Bethel ? 

*3. Yes ; and he slew the priests of the high places, 
and burnt the bones of the priests that had been buried 
there, upon the altar, according to the word which the 
old prophet spake to Jeroboam. 2 Kings xxiii. 15 — 20,. 
I Kings xiii. 2. 



106 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap 

Gl Q. How came Josiah by his death ? 

Ji. He went out to ii^ht with the kini; of Egypt, with- 
out the direction of God, and lie was slain, ami la- 
mentation was made for him. 2 Citron, w 

62 Q. Who succeeded Josiah in die kingdom? 

*fl. His son Jehoaha/,, who when he had reigned three 
months, was put in bonds by the kin;; of Egypt, was car- 
ried thither, and (here he died. 2 A7/>».s xxiii. 31 — 34. 

63 Q. Whom did the king of Egypt make king in bu 
room ? 

^. Eliakiin his brother, and gave him the name of 
Jehoiakim. 2 R'ings xxiii. 34. 

64 ((. What sort of governor was Jehoiakim ami 
what was Ids end ? 

J], He did evil in the sight of the Lord, several 
neighboring nations beset him round about, and Nebu- 
chadnezzar, king of Babylon, sent up his foi 
him, took some captives, bound the lung in fetters, and 
he died in shame, his dead body bein;; cast without the 
gates of Jerusalem, and without a burial : and bi- 
son Jehoiachin reigned in his stead. 2 < 
5—8. l)an.\. 1—3. Jer. xxii. IS, \{\ 

65 Q. What became of this Jehoiachin, who is 
called Jechoniah and Coniah ? 

Jf. When he had reigned three months, Nebuchad- 
nezzar took the city of Jerusalem, and carried him to 
Babylon, together with tvn thousand captives, and rich 
x treasures of silver and gold that remained in the temple 
and in the king's house. 2 J. 
xxii. 24— 30. 

66 Q. Was there any king in Judah after J 

J. Yes; th • last king was Zedekiah, his fat 
brother, whom Nebuchadnezzar made king in Jerufi 
ver. 17, 18. 

67 q. What fell out in the days of Zedekiah? 

J. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, to whom 
he had sworn subjection by the name of the true 
whereupon Nebuchadnezzar came up and touk thi 
of Jerusalem . • siege of 1 V ' 

ixv. l—l. 



Chap. 12. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 107 

68 Q. How did he punish Zedekiah for his rebellion ? 
Jl, When Zedekiah tied from the city, he was seized 

by the Babylonians ; Nebuchadnezzar ordered his sons 
to be slain before his face, then his eyes were put out, lie 
was bound with fetters of brass, and carried to Babylon, 
and there was no more a king in Judali. ver. 6, 7. 2 
Chron. xxx vi. 13. 

69 ^. What became of the city and temple at this 
time ? 

JL The king of Babylon burnt the temple of the 
Lord, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jeru- 
salem ; he brake down the walls of the city, and carried 
away the rest of the people captive ; together with all 
the vessels of gold, silver, and brass, great and small, 
that belonged to the temple. 2 Kings xxv. 8 — 17. 

70 Q. But were the people punished thus for the 
sins of their king ? 

A. The princes, and the priests, and the people, had 
a large share in the common idolatry and wickedness, 
together with the kings, and that in opposition to all the 
warnings of their prophets, whereby God was provoked 
to punish them all. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 14 — 21. 

71 Q. Was there any ruler of the scattered people 
that remained in the land of Israel ? 

A. Gedaliah was made governor by the king of 
Babylon, but he was slain in a little time by a faction un- 
der Ishmael, one of the seed-royal ; and there was noth- 
ing but confusion and disorder in the land. 2 Kings xxv. 
22, &c. 

72 Q. What became of the people afterward ? 

A. Johanan, the son of Kareah, one of the captains 
under Gedaliah, routed Ishmael, and drove him out of 
the land ; yet being afraid of the anger of the king of 
Babylon, and his resentment of the murder of Gedaliah 
his governor, he was tempted to fly into Egypt, and to 
carry most of the people thither with him, where they 
were dispersed into several cities. Jer. xli. 13 — 18, and 
xlii. xliii. 

73 ^. Was this done by any divine order ? 

*9. No ; but directly against the word of the Lord. 



108 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 13, 

by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet, who was left 
among them in the land ; and they carried him al><» into 
Egypt with them. Jer. xliii. 1 — 9. 

74 Q. Did the Jews behave themselves better in 
Egypt after all their afflictions and distresses? 

Ji. They practised idolatry in Egypt with insolence, 
in opposition to the reproofs of Jeremiah the prophet. 
Jer. xliv. 

75 Q. Did they perish there, or return r 

Ji. Jeremiah was ordered by the Lord to foretel the 
destruction of Egypt by the king of Babylon, and to de- 
nounce utmost calamities and death, by sword and fam- 
ine upon the Jews that sojourned there ; and that but a 
very small number of them should ever return to the 
land of Judah, though he foretold the return of their 
brethren from their captivity in Babylon. Jer. xliii. 9. 
and xliv. 11, 28, &c. 



CHAP. XIII. 

Of the Return of the Jews from Captivity in Baby- 
lon, and the Rebuilding of the City of JenutUm, 
and the Temple. 

1 Q. How long did the nation of the Jews continue 
in their captivity, and their land lie desolate ? 

Ji. Though the land lay not utterly desolate till the 
final destruction of Jerusalem, in the days of Zedekiah, 
which was between fifty and sixty years before their 
first release; yet, from their first captivity by Nebuchad- 
nezzar in former reigns, their land was in some measure 
desolate seventy years, according to the prophecy of Jere- 
miah. See 2 Chron. xxxm. 21. Jer. xxv. 11, 10. 

Here let it be observed, that as there v.- r< ?ev< ral -• 
and under different kim;-. when part of the chil 
and Judah were carried into captivity, and sev< 
whence their xtesolati 

ral seasons also of their return and r< storation : but il 
duration of their capti\ itj and desolate circuu:-tai»' 






Chap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 100 

ty years. See 2 Kings xxiv. 1, 2, 10—14, and chap. xxv. 11, 
rompared with Ezra i. 1, 2, and chap. vi. 1 — 12, chap. vii. 7, 
»nd Nehem. ii. 1, &c. 

2 Q. Who gave them release from their captivity in 
Babylon ? 

Ji. When Babylon was taken by Cyrus, the general 
of the army under Darius, the king of the Medes, the 
Assyrian or Babylonish empire was finished. After Da- 
rius's death, Cyrus himself became king of Persia, and 
he not only gave the people of the Jews a release, but 
gave them also a commission to rebuild the temple, and 
restored to them the vessels of gold and silver ; and this 
he did by the hand of Shesbazzar, a prince of Judah. 
Ezra i. 7—11. 

Note\ Now was that prophecy fulfilled which Isaiah pro- 
nounced above a hundred years before, ha. xliv. 28, that it 
was Cyrus who should say to Jerusalem, be thou built ; and to 
the temple, be thy foundation laid ; and chap. xiv. 13, who 
should build the city of God, and release his captives. 

3 Q. Which of the tribes did accept of this commis- 
sion, and return to their own land ? 

A. There were many persons and families of seve- 
ral tribes of Israel who took this opportunity of return- 
ing ; yet it was chiefly those of Judah and Benjamin, 
with the priests and several of the Levites, who return- 
ed, and were now all united under the name of Jews. 
Ezra i. 5, "and iv. 12. 

4 Q. Who were their first leaders and directors ? 

Ji* Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah, of the seed-royal, 
whose Chaldaick or Babylonish name was Shesbazzar ; 
he was their prince or captain, and Jeshua or Joshua was 
their high priest. Ezra i. 11, and ii. 2, and iii. 8, compar- 
ed with v. 14 — 16, and Zech. iii. and iv. 

Note. This Shesbazzar, or Zerubbabel, was the son of Sa- 
lathiel, the son of Jehoiachin or Jechoniah, king of Judah : he 
was made governor of the land, under the title of Tirshatha, 
by a commission from Cyrus. Jeshua was the son of Jozadak 
or Josedech, the son of Seraia, who was high priest when Jeru- 
salem was destroyed, and who was put to death by Nebuchad- 
: r. . 

11 



110 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 16 

5 Q. What was the first thing they did after theii 
return ? 

•0. They made a Jarge contribution toward the re- 
building of the temple, they gathered themselves tog 
to Jerusalem, they set up the altar of the C i»nl of Israel and 
offered sacrifices' upon it. Ezra ii. 68, and iii. 1 — 6. 

6 Q. In what manner did they lay the foundation of 
the temple ? 

Ji. While the buildei b laid tht foundation, the priest* 
and the Levites sung and praised the Lord with trum- 
pets and other instruments, after the ordinance of David. 
.Ezra iii. 10, 11. 

7 Q. What remarkable occurrences attended the 
laying of the foundation of the temple r 

A. . While the younger part of the people shouted 
for joy, many of the ancient fathers wept with a loud 
voice, when they remembered how much more glorimfi 
the first temple was than the second was like to be. ver. 
12, 13, and Ilng.W. 3. 

Here it may be observed, that though the foundation 
second temple stood on the same con 
yet a company of poor exiles, returning from a i 
could not promise or hope for so glorious a building 
temple of Solomon, neither in the richness of th< i 
in the magnificence and curiosity of the workmanship. 
Dr. Pridtaux^s Connection, Vol. I. p. 143. 

The Jews also generally suppose 6ve thil 
the second temple, after it Mas finished, which did l». | 
the first ; namely, (1.) The ark of I 
cy-seat, which was npon it, with tlie cherubs of l 
with the tables of stone in which tl 
were in the ark when it Mas bronghl into Solomon'' 
Kings viii. 9. 2 Ckron. v. 10, though one Mould thank 
.should have made an ark and a m< rcy-seat, 1" fore irhfc 
high priest should officiate once a year, 
supposed He r< was such an ark made, and that i 
copy of the Bible v, as laid up in it : and that it i 
of this, that the pn -• nt Jews in all tlnir - 
an ark or coffer, wherein thej lv ■ 
( hinuh. or di\ ine pjes< nee, in a cloud of glorj on U • 
(3.) The trim and Thumm 
divine answers to 1 1 1* ir inquiries. (1.) '1 I 
altar, which came from heaven. (5.) Th< 
Fpr though Haggai, Zechariah, and Mai 



Chap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. It* 

second temple was building, and prophecied after it was built v 
yet on their death the prophetic spirit ceased from among them. 

8 Q. What was the first hindrance they found in 
the building of the temple ? 

J. The Samaritans desired to join with them in their 
building, and because the Jews forbid them, they gave 
them continual trouble in the days of Cyrus. Ezra iv. 
1—5. 

9 Q. What was the second hindrance they met 
with ? 

.#. When Artaxerxes the first came to the throne of 
Persia these people wrote an accusation against the Jews s 
that the city of Jerusalem had been rebellious in former 
times ; whereupon Artaxerxes caused the work to cease 
till the second year of Darius, ver. 7 — 24, 

Note* This was not Darius, the first king, and he who 
took Babylon, and released Daniel from the lions 1 den ; but 
another, who reigned several years after him, and was called 
Darius Hystaspes, as the best authors assert X and this also was 
long before that Darius whom Alexander subdued, and put anr 
end to the Persian kingdom. 

Here let it be observed in general, that it is not a very easy 
matter for learned men to agree exactly in adjusting the time 
of all these events, and the particular accomplishment of every 
prophecy, because there were several kings of the samename ; 
as, three or four Artaxerxes's, and three or more Darius's, &c 
And there were four decrees from the kings of Persia in favour 
of the Jews : the first from Cyrus to Zerubbabel or Shesbazzar, 
a prince of Judah. Esra i. 1 — 3. The second from Darius the 
second to the enemies of the Jews, to forbid their hindrance of 
the work. Esra vi. 1—7. The third from Artaxerxes the se- 
cond to Ezra, recorded in Ezra vii. 11. The fourth from the 
.same Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, written in Nehem.W. 1 — 9. 

10 Q. Who persuaded the Jews to go on with their 
work under the reign of this Darius I 

A. The prophets of God which were with them en- 
couraged and required them in the name of the Lord, 
to go on with the work of the temple ; for several of 
them were too negligent, and God punished them for it 
with scarcity of corn and wine. Ezra v. 1, 2. Hag. I 
3 — 11. Zech. i. 7, &c. and chap. iii. and iv. 



112 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap 

i 1 ({. What encouragement did they meet with from 
the Persian court ? 

A. The governors of the provinces at lin- 
ing them renew their building, sent to inquire 
the order which Cyrus gave for it : and Darius ha 
found this order among the records of Babylon, » 
fresh command for the rebuilding of the house of God. 
Ezra v. 9 — 17, and vi. 1 — 14. 

12 Q. When was the temple finished r 

jf. Through many delays, arising partly from the 
negligence of the Jews, partly from the opposition of 
their enemies, it was twenty years in building : nor was 
it finished till the sixth year of the reign of Dari 
which time they dedicated it with many sacrifices, and 
kept the pass-over with joy. Ezra vi. 15— 

Here it may be worthy of our observation, that the tl 
ed destruction of Babylon kept pace with th< 
storation and joy of the Jew-, h < 

of the army of Darius the first, took Babylon I 
blood and slaughter, who also relent d the caj tiv< 
lie came to be king of Persia. Th< n the river i 
upon the country round it ; which Isaiah foretold, 
*.*Lnd 1 1 ' 

'. But 
when the Babi It.. I. in the 

Hystas] sii ged them with a vaM army, thei 

Jation w it. They themselves I] their 

women aad young children, to make their provisions bold o«rt. 
Then U i f Isaiah was fulfilled, chap, 

things shall com to them in otu day, tin 
.,,„/. rjarius took the « it> in th. i 
of his ; ■' 'in" tin J cm ish t( 

up lo the plunder of his I 

•., .ill- down from three hundred cubil 

ler this, Bab) Ion I ... ile, and al I 

I 

IS <{ What further cncoui lid the Jews 

receive from another king Art ax 

A. Axtaxerxes the second, king of Pcrsii 
the priest and scribe a letter and decree, to enco 
the Jews vei remaining in liabvlon, to •:«> up to ' 



Chap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 115 

lem and establislt the worship of the true God there. 
Ezra vii. 1 1—26. 

Note. This second Artaxerxes is supposed by Dr. Prideaux 
To be Artaxerxes Longimanus, as the heathen historians call 
him ; and to be that same Ahasuerus who made Esther his 
queen, and so became very friendly to the Jews. 

14 ££. How did the king enable them to fulfil this 
decree ? 

A. The king and his counsellors freely offered much 
silver and gold for this work, and being sensible of the 
greatness and power of the God of the Jews, whom he 
calls the God of heaven, he sought to secure his favour 
for himself and his family, and pronounced a speedy 
sentence of death, banishment, loss of goods, or impri- 
sonment, on those who should dare to hinder this build- 
ing, ver. 15— 17, 23, 26. 

15 ^. What did Ezra do in his journey to Jeru- 
salem r 

A. He proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer, to 
seek the assistance of God ; for he was ashamed to ask 
the king for soldiers to be their guard, because he had 
told the king of the power and the mercy of their God. 
Ezra viii. 21, 22. 

16 Q. What did Ezra do when he came to Jerusa- 
lem ? 

A. He delivered the orders of the king to the gov- 
ernors of the provinces, and the gold and silver to those 
who had the care of the building, and so promoted the 
work, ver, 33 — 36. 

17 Q. W r hat reformation did Ezra work among the 
people ? 

A. W hen he was informed that many of the Jews 
had mingled themselves in marriages with the heathens, 
he, together with the more religious part of the Jews, 
humbled themselves before God for all their former in- 
iquities, in an excellent prayer, and brought them into a 
covenant and an oath to put away their strange wive3. 
Ezra ix. and x. 

Note. None of the Jews of either sex might marry with a 
Gentile of any nation, unless they were made proselytes .- and 
11* 



114 SCRIPTURE HISTORV. Chap 

even then, they suppose th( I 

(Deut. vii.) and the males among tl e Moabit< - and Amu 

to be excluded forever ; as they interpret Una. xxiii. J. 

18 Q. Did the Jews rebuild the city of Jerusa!* 

Ji. Yes; for the Babylonian army had broke down 
the walls, and burnt the gates of it. AVA. i. S, 

19 Q. Whom did liod raise up to carry on the re- 
building the city ? 

Ji. Nehemiah the Jew, who was a cup-bearer to Ar- 
taxerxes the king of Persia. Nehem. i. 1 — 1 1. 

20 Q. How was Nehemiah engaged herein? 
Ji. When he heard of the continuance of the <!• 

tions made by the enemies, he fasted and prayed toG 
and then he obtained leave of Artaxerxes the kij- 
up to Jerusalem, and rebuild the city of the sepul 
of his fathers. JYehem. ii. 1 — 7. 

21 (J. What further encouragement did Nehemiah 
receive from the king? 

Ji. He received orders for the governors of the pro- 
vinces to assist him, and to give timber out of the kiog'e 
forest, ver. 7, 8. 

22 Q. How did Nehemiah begin his work I 

Ji. He rode round the city by night, and took a pri- 
vate survey of the ruins thereof, and appointed a parti- 
cular part of the walls and gates to be repaired by par- 
ticular persons and their companies. JYlekem. ii. and iii. 

23 ({. What opposition did the Jews meet with in 
this part of their work ? 

A. Sanballat the Samaritan, and Tobiah the Ammon- 
ite, and their accomplices, at \\\M laughed the J« 
scorn, and then conspired to light against them while 
they were at work. JYehem. iv. 1 — 7. 

24 Q. How did Nehemiah prevent the mischief the} 
designed ? 

Ji. He encouraged the Jews to trust in their God. 
and appointed every man that laboured in the work to 
have a weapon ready to defend himself, ver. VS — 

25 Q. What reformation did Nehemiah work anions 
them? 

Ji* He reproved those that took usury, and oppress* 



Chap. 13. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 115 

ed their brethren ; and he set himself for an example, 
who though he was governor twelve years, took no sala- 
ry, but maintained himself and one hundred and fifty 
Jews at his own charge. JVehem. v. 7 — 19. 

26 Q. In what manner did they worship God when 
the city was built? 

JL* On the first day of the seventh month all the peo- 
ple were gathered together in one street, ami Ezra the 
priest and scribe read in the book of the law, and gave 
the sense of the words, that they might see their past sins 
and errors, and might be instructed to yield a more re- 
gular and exact obedience for time to come ; and this 
being done, he blessed the great God, and all the people 
answered, Amen, Amen. Nehem. viii. I — 8. 

Note. It is a remark of Dr. Prideaux, that though Ezra's au- 
thority and government expired before this time, yet he went 
on as a skilful scribe of the law of God, to preach righteousness, 
to perfect the reformation, to gather the several parts of Scrip- 
ture together, to set forth correct copies of them, and to bring 
all things in church and state to the rules thereof: — And this 
he did by the assistance of the next governor, Nehemiah, doing 
the same things by his authority, which before he did b} r his 
own. 

27 Q. How did they keep the feast of tabernacles ? 
A. By dwelling in booths made of branches of trees 

seven days together, as God had commanded by Moses, 
and they read in the book of the law every day of the 
seven, and explained it. ver. 13 — 18. 

28 Q. How did they keep a fast on the twenty-fourth 
day of the seventh month ? 

A. One fourth part of the day they confessed their 
sins, and another fourth part they read in the book of the 
law, and then they entered into a covenant with an oath 
to be the Lord's people, and the princes and the priests 
and the Levites sealed it. JSTehem. ix. and x, 1, 2. 

29 Q. How were the people disposed of in their ha- 
bitations ? 

A. The rulers dwelt at 'Jerusalem, the rest of the 
priests and people cast lots to bring one in ten to dwell 
at Jerusalem, and nine parts in the other cities, that the 
land might be peopled. JVehem. xi, 



116 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cl 

50 ({. How was the wall of Jerusalem t\ 
dedicated r 

A. Tii.' Levites came from all ;>. 
and joined with the priests and the rulers in two 
companies, and gave thanks, and offered sacrifices 
sung the praises of God, so that the e a wis 

heard alar oft". Nehem. xii. 87- 

51 ({. What further reformation did Nehemiah bring 
in among the people ? 

J. lie turned Tobiah the Ammonite out of his 
ing in the temple, which Eliashib the • 
pared for him ; he established the portion of the fruits of 
the earth which belonged to the Levites j he forbid the 
profanation of the Sabbath, by buying and sellin 
bearing burdens; and punished the Jews who m 
strange wives. JV*ehem. xiii. 4— 

32 Q What remarkable instance did Nehemiah iiive 
of his zeal in punishing those who married Strang 

A. He drove away one of the sons of Joiada the son 
of Eliashib the high priest, for marrying the daughter of 
Sanballat the Beromte, who had hindered the .!■ 
much in their building several years before, ver. 

JWe. Tlii* young: man's name was M; 
informs as. 

So Q. Had Nehemiah no prophet to assi>t him in 
this difficult work ? 

A. It is supposed that Malachi. the last of th< 
phets, prophesied about this time, for he doth not reprove 
them for neglect of building as Haggai did, Hag. i. 4, 9 f 
nor does he speak of the finishing of the temple, as Zeeh- 
ariah did. chap, iv. 7, 9. Hut supposing that already 
done, he reproved them about their marriage of stran- 
gers, and of several wives, or of taking concubines, JUaL 
ii. 11, 14, 16, and their robbing God of their tithes, chap. 
iii. &c. and their polluting the altar, and neglect of offer- 
ing God the best, chap. i. which were the very things 
which Nehemiah corrected in his last reformation. 



Chap. 14. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 117 

Thus far the Holy Scripture has delivered clown 
to us the history of the transactions of God with 
men, and particularly Avith his own people, the na- 
tion of Israel, in a long and continued succession of 
events, from the creation of the world to the return 
of the Jews from the captivity of Babylon, and the 
settling of the church and state under Nehemiah, 
whom the king of Persia made governor over the 
land. 

There are several other historical matters related 
in Scripture which belong to particular persons f the 
most considerable of them are the histories of Job 
and Jonah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Esther. 



CHAP, xn 
The History of Job. 

1 Q. Who was Job? 

A. A most religious man in the land of Uz, who had 
ten children, and very great riches. Job i. 1 — 3. 

2 Q. In what age of the world is Job supposed to 
have lived ? 

A. In, or before the days of Moses, because there is 
not the least intimation of "any transactions of God with 
Israel in the whole book of Job. 

3 Q. What particular act of piety is related con- 
cerning him in his prosperous state ? 

Ji. When his children had been feasting each other 
in their turns, Job offered sacrifices for them, lest they 
should have sinned, and provoked God in the seasons 
of their mirth, ver. 4, 5. 

4 Q. What were the afflictions that fell upon Job r 
.#. God permitted the devil, by kindling of lightning, 

and by stirring up robbers and plunderers among his 
heathen neighbours, to bereave him of ail his cattle and 
his wealth in one day, and to destrov all his children* 



lis 3CWPTURE HISTORY. (Imp. 14. 

even seveu sons and three daughters; by a tempest 
which blew down the house in which they w 
ver. 6—19. 

5 -Q. Was the devil suffered to veut hi;-, malice upon 
the person of Job? 

A. Yes; God permitted him to smite Job with Bote 
boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his bead. 
Job ii. 6, 7. 

6 Q. What was the design of God in these provi- 
dences toward Job-? 

Ji. To try the strength of his piety, and to >et him 
up as an example of patience, both in the ei 
and in the rewards of it. Job xxiii. 10. Jam,'* v. 1 1. 

7 Q. What was the behaviour of Job undei 
trial ? 

Ji. He blessed the name of the Lord, and did not 
murmur at his providence. Job i. £0 — 22, and ii. 10. 

8 Q. What was a further aggravation of Jobfa dis- 
tress ? 

A. That his wife tempted him to abandon all reli- 
gion, because God suffered him to be thus afflicted. Job 
ii. 9, 10. 

9 Q. Had Job any comforter ? 

A. Three friends came from the neighbouring | 
to mourn with him and comfort him. ivr. 1 1. 

10 Q. How long did his patience continue in thi- 
perfect exercise of it ? 

A. Seven days he sat down in ashes, and w;i< silent 
under the hand of God. v<v. IS. 

11 Q. Wherein did any impatience of Job at 
appear ? 

A, In cursing the day on which he was born. Job 
iii. 1—16. 

12 Q. What were the sentiments of Job's thm 
friends on this mournful occasion, and how did the] 

ry it towards him r 

Ji. When they saw- him to be so dreadfully affli 
they rashly concluded he had been guilty ol 
sins* notwithstanding his outward profession <>f 



€hap. 14. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 119 

and therefore they severely reproved him for his griev- 
ous complaints, chap. iv. &c. 

1 3 Q. How did Job answer to their charges ? 

Jl. He maintained against them all this great truth, 
that God did sometimes afflict those who were innocent, 
for wise and unsearchable reasons ; and he vindicated 
his own innocence, placing his trust in God. chap. ix. &c. 

14 Q. Wherein did Job fail in his duty towards God 
in this matter ? 

A, Under the violence of his distress, and the most 
unjust accusations of his friends, he sometimes spake 
words of unreasonable despair, and sometimes he used 
rash and unbecoming language against the great God, 
and vindicated himself too much, as though he had been 
perfectly innocent before God as well as before men. 
chap. vi. &c. 

1 J Q. How was the controversy between Job and his 
friends compromised at last ? 

A. Elihu, a fourth friend, who was younger than the 
rest, and had come to visit him, took a middle way to 
end this controversy, and spoke more agreeably to the 
truth : and though he reproved the three friends for as- 
serting that God would never afflict any innocent man 
so much as Job was affiictea ; yet he severely reproved 
Job for insisting so much on his own innocence before 
God. chop, xxxii. &c. 

16 Q. What was the foundation of Elihu's argument 
on this occasion ? 

J\. The supreme majesty and holiness of God, the 
meanness and sinfulness of the best of men in his sight ; 
his sovereign dominion over all things, and the unsearch- 
ableness of his wisdom and conduct toward men. chap, 
xxxiii. and xxxvi. &c. 

17 Q. How did God himself manifestly engage in 
deciding this controversy ? 

Ji. He greatly confirmed the sentiments and opin- 
ions of Elihu, by asserting and displaying his own su- 
preme wisdom and power, his grandeur and dominion 
over all things, by a voice out of the whirlwind, chap. 
xxxv. &c. 



120 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cb4] 

18 Q. "What effect had this upon his servant Job r 
Jl. Job confessed his folly, abnorred himself for his 

sin under the apprehension of the holiness and the majes- 
ty of God, and repented in dust and ashes. Job xlii. l — (i. 

19 Q. How did God deal with the three friends of 
Job? 

A. He disapproved of their false accusations of Job, 
and their wrong sentiments concerning God himself and 
his conduct, and bid them offer a sacrifice of atonement, 
and Job to pray for them. ver. 7, 8. 

20 Q. What tokens of approbation and favour did 
God shew to Job ? 

A. While Job prayed for his friends, God rel< 
him from all his afflictions, and afterward gave him ten 
children, as he had at first, he doubled his estate, and 
prolonged his life to four generations. chaj 
10—17. 



CHAP. XV. 



The Histojga of Jonah, 



1 Q. Who was Jonah r 

A. A prophet who lived about the time of Jero 
the seconcl, king of Israel. Jonah i. I 
There is no need of particular citations of 
verse for the history of Jonah, since the wjiole i> contain- 
ed in four short chapters. 

2 Q. Whither did God send him? 

A. He was sent to Nineveh, to pronounce del 
tion upon that great city for their wickedm 
S ({. How did Jonali disobey God ? 
A. He took shipping and fled toward Tarshish, from 
the presence of the Lord, because he supposed that the 
mercy of God would spare Nineveh after he hai 
nounced destruction upon it, and then he 
ounted a raise prophet 
1 ({. What fcefcl him in this \ <>^ ig 



Chap. 15. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 121 

A. There arose a terrible tempest, which endangered 
the ship ; and Jonah being conscious of his own guilt, 
advised the sailors to cast him into the sea, and then the 
storm ceased. 

5 Q. What became of Jonah ? 

A. A great fish swallowed him up, and he continued 
in the bowels of the fish three days and three nights. 

6 Q. Did he ever come to the shore again ? 

A. At his repentance and earnest prayer, God com- 
manded the fish to vomit out Jonah upon the dry land. 
Jonah ii. 

7 Q. What service did God assign to Jonah after 
this great deliverance ? 

Jl. He sent him the second time to Nineveh, to 
preach destruction against it within forty days. Jonah ih\ 

8 Q. What effect had this preaching upon the peo- 
ple? 

A. The king and the people put on sackcloth, mourn- 
ed for their sins, turned from their evil ways, and cried 
mightily to God for mercy, whereupon God withheld 
the punishment winch he threatened. 

9 ^. How did Jonah resent this merciful dealing of 
God with Nineveh ? 

Ji. He feared he should be counted a false prophet, 
and, in an angry temper, desired God to take away his 
life. Jonah iv. 

10 Q. What did God do to convince him of the un- 
reasonableness of his anger ? 

A. He made a gourd grow up in a night, whicli shel- 
tered him from the heat of the sun, and he caused it to 
wither the next day; upon which Jonah murmured 
against God. 

11 Q. Hew did God argue with Jonah upon this oc- 
currence ? 

JL God reproved the prophet, that he should be so 
much concerned about a gourd, a senseless plant, which 
grew up in one night, and only afforded him some con- 
veniency of life ; and that he should be no more concern- 
ed about the lives of so great and populous a city, which 
12 



lfcl SCHlPTURl HISTORY. Chap. 16. 

besides men and women, had above six score thousand 
-children in it. 



CHAP. XVI. 

The History of Jeremiah. 

1 Q. Who was Jeremiah ? 

Ji. One of the priests in the land of Benjamin, whom 
God called to be a prophet when he was very yonng, in 
the days of Josiah king of Judah. Jet, i. 1 — 7. 

2 ({. What encouragement hud he when he \ 
voting to pronounce the judgment.-* of God 
people r 

A. God put forth Ins hand and touched his mouth, to 
signify Ms divine inspiration, and promised his pines 
With him to deliver him from all that should oppose him. 
ver. 7— -19. 

3 Q. What was the chief message with which Jere- 
miah wa> sent to the people, and to the prim 

of Judah ? 

J. That Jerusalem should be destroyed, and t 1 
pie and princes should be carried away captive into 
Babylon, because of their sins, and remain there m 
vears. From chap. vii. to xxv. per. 11, 12. 

4 Q. By what method did Jeremi 
their sins and these judgments of God ? 

./. By some very plain and direct 
example of the Rechabites set before them, and lr\ 
parables or emblems. 

5 Q. How did Jeremiah shew them the heinot 
of their sins by a view of the example of the Rechal 

.7. Since all the family of Rechab abstained h »m 
wine, which is no unlawful liquor, merely b 
dab their father forbid them; much more should the 
have abstained from tln.se practices which 
unlawful, when the God of Israel had forbid 
I xv. 



Chap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 12£ 

6 Q. Wliat were some of the emblems by which God 
ordered Jeremiah to foretel their calamities? 

A. A linen girdle,. a potter?s vessel, an earthen bot- 
tle, yokes of wood and of iron, &c. 

7 ({. What was designed by the linen girdle ? 

A. Jeremiah was commanded to hide it in the hole of 
a rock near the river Euphrates, and when he sought it 
again, it was quite spoiled ; so God decreed to spoil the 
pride of Jerusalem by the nation that dwelt near Eu- 
phrates, that is, Assyria. Jer. xiii. 

8 Q. What was intended by the potter's vessel ? 

•#. As, when the vessel of clay was spoiled in the 
making;, the form of it was changed, and it was moulded 
up into another vessel, as the potter pleased ; so God 
declared his power over the house of Israel, to manage 
and dispose of them as he pleased ; and that he would 
change his providences and their state, according to their 
behaviour. Jer. xviii. 

9 ({. What further lesson was taught by an earthen 
bottle ? 

Ji. Jeremiah was commanded to break the bottle in 
the sight of the priests and the elders, and to declare, 
Thus saith the Lord, even so will I break this nation 
and this city, that it shall not be made whole again. 
Jer. xix. 

10 <£. What did Jeremiah teach them by the emblems 
of bonds and yokes ? 

J. In the days of Jehoiakim king of Judah, God 
commanded Jeremiah to make bonds and yokes, and put 
them upon his own neck, and then to send them to the 
kings of the nations round about, to assure them that 
they should all be made subject to Nebuchadnezzar king 
of Babylon. Jer. xxvii. 1 — 12. 

1 1 ({. Who- were Jeremiah's chief enemies ? 

Jl. The priests and the false prophets, who would 
have put him to death in the reign of Jehoiakim. Jer. 
xxvi. 1 — 8. 

12 q. Who saved Jeremiah at that time ? 

*#. The princes and the people saved him from death, , 



124 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI.. 

though the kin:; slew Urijah ti- 
the words of Jeremiah. >•<-/•. II — 14. 

13 <{. What abuses did from 
Pashur the pri 

J. Pashur smote the prophet and j>ut him in the 
\. J r. \\. ' 

14 (). Whet evil was denounced i - or on 
this account P 

J. God changed his name to Magor-mist 
note that he should be a terror to himself and to all hi> 
friends ; and foretold that he should be led captive to 
Babylon, and die there, n r. 5 — < ; . 

15 Q. How did Jeremiah's patience hold out under 
the many injuries he received ? 

A. In the main he continued to trust in God, but 
once he murmured against God, refused I 
and cursed the day of his birth, ver. 7 — I B, 

16 (£. In what manner did God overcome his mur- 
muring and his disobedience r 

Ji. The Word of the Lord was in hi^ heart like a 
burning fire shut up in his bones, and he could i, 
bear speaking, ver. 9. 

17 Q. How did Jeremiah publisl becieS 
when he could not appear in public himself, being shut 
up in prison ? 

Ji. He commanded Baruch the scribe to write the 
words of bis prophecies from his mouth in a volum< 
book, and to read them in the i :i the 

temple on a fast-day. Jer. xixvi, 1 — 10, 

18 ^. What effect had this upon Jehoiakii] 
king ? 

.7. When he heard of it he sent for the \ 
a little of it, cut it with a pen-knife, and burnt it in the 
tire, and then sent to seize Jeremiah and Baruch; but 
God by his kind providence kept them hid from the king. 
i?er.20— 26. 

19 ({. What was the i 
•niah? 

./. That he should take another voluii* 



Chap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 125 

Baruch should write over again from his mouth the same 
words, and many others of the same import, ver. 27, 32. 

20 Q. What did Jeremiah prophecy concerning Je- 
hoahaz, the son of Josiah king of Judah, who is here call- 
ed Shallum ? 

.#. That he should die a captive in the land of Egypt. 
Jer. xxii. 11, 12. 2 Kings xxiii. 31 — 34. 

21 Q. What did he say concerning Jehoiakim his 
brother ? 

A. That he should die unlamented, and be buried 
like an ass, drawn and cast out beyond the gates of Je- 
rusalem. Jer. xxii. 18, 20. 

22 Q. What did he pronounce concerning Jehoiachin, 
who is also called Jeconiah and Coniah? 

A. That he should die in a strange land, and none of 
his seed should sit on the throne of Judah, Jer. xxii. 24 
— 30, and he accordingly was carried to Babylon, and 
lived long there, and there he died. Jer. Hi. 31. 

23 Q. What advice did he give to Zedekiah king of 
Judah ? 

Ji. To submit willingly to the yoke of the king of 
Babylon, that both lie and his people might meet with 
better treatment. Jer. xxvii. 12, 18. 

24 Q. How did the false prophet Hananiah oppose 
Jeremiah ? 

A. He took the yoke from the prophet Jeremiah's 
neck, which probably he had worn for some years ; and 
as he brake it, he declared, the Lord would break tli3 
yoke of Nebuchadnezzar in two years from the necks of 
the nations. Jer. xxviii. 1 — 11. 

25 Q. How did Jeremiah answer him ? 

A. That God had appointed yokes of iron instead of 
yokes of wood, for all the nations to serve the king of 
Babylon ; and that Hananiah should die in that year mi- 
nis falsehood ; which came to pass in two months after 
ver. 10—17. 

26 Q. Among all these predictions of distress, did 
5 not Jeremiah prophecy any thing comfortable to the na- 
tion of Israel r 

•A. Yes ; he foretold the return of the Jews to then 
12* 



126 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip 

own land with joy, after seventy years captivity : and he 

encouraged their faith and hope by many tracioui prnm- 
ises of the Messiah who was to come. chap. xx\ 
xxx. and xxxi. 

27 Q. How did king Zedekiah deal with Jen 

the prophet when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem ? 
A. He shut him up in the court of the prison which 
was in the king's house, because 1h« foretold that Jerusa- 
lem should be taken, and that Zedekiah the king should 
not escape, but be carried to Babylon. J$r, xwii. 1 — . 

28 ^. What did Jeremiah do in prison to 

them that the Jews should return from captivity, and 
possess the cities of Judali again ? 

A. By express order from God he bought a field of 
his cousin Hananeel, paid him the moi 
evidence, and sealed it before witnesses, as an i-mblem 
and pledge of what should be done in Jerusalem h< 
ter. ver. 6 — 16, 44. 

29 Q. What did Jeremiah do when he was it fill 

A. He endeavoured to flee out of Jerusalem, but lie 
was seized by the guard upon suspicion of fatting away 
to the Chaldeans, and he was thrust down into a dungeon 
by the princes, because he prophecied the destruction of 
the city- chap, xxxvii. 11 — 1G, and xxxviii. I — G. 

30 ^. What relief did the prophet find I i 

A. When he sunk in the mire, Ebedmefoch the 
Ethiopian, a servant in the king's house, drew him up 
with ropes, by leave from the king ; and he remaii 
the court of the prison till the city was taken 
7—14. 

31 Q. What favour did God shew to Ebedm< 
on this account ? 

A. He assured him he should not die by the - 
but his life should be given him, because he trusted in 
the Lord. Jrr. xxx\x. 1G. 

32 (£. When Zedekiah the king sent for Jen 
what message bad he from God r 

A. He repeated his advice to the king oi 
go forth and submit to the king of Babylon, in order to 
save himself and the city, ver, IT, &c» 



Chap. 16. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. \%7 

S3 Q. Did the king hearken to his advice ? 

A. No ; he did not obey the prophet ; so the city 
was taken, and burnt, the princes of Judah were slain, 
and the king's sons were put to death before his eyes ; 
then the king had his eyes put out, and he was carried 
in chains to Babylon, and died there. Jew xxxix. 1 — 10, 
and Hi. S— 11. 

jYote. Then was fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel concern- 
ing Zedekiah, chap. xii. 23. / will bring him to Babylon, the 
land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see ?7, though he shall 
die there. 

34 Q. What became of Jeremiah after the city was 
taken ? 

A. Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to the officers of his 
army to take care of him ; and to give him his liberty to 
go where he pleased. Jew xxxix. 11, and xl. 4, 5. 

35 Q. Whither did Jeremiah choose to go ? 

A. He chose to continue in the land of Israel, and 
put himself under the protection of Gedaliah, whom the 
king of Babylon made governor in the land. ver. 6, 7". 

36 Q. Did Jeremiah continue under his protection ? 
A. Gedaliah was quickly slain by a taction raised by 

Ishmael ; and Ishmael also was put to flight by another 
faction under the command of Johanan. Jew xl. 41. 

37 Q. What did Johanan do with Jeremiah ? 

J. He carried him and a multitude of the people ii> 
to Egypt, in direct opposition to the advice which Jere- 
miah gave him from the Lord. chap. xlii. and xliii. 

38 Q. What did Jeremiah do in the land of Egypt ? 
A. He severely reproved the Jews for their idolatry 

there ; he denounced ruin upon them ; he took great 
stones and hid them in the clay at the entrance of Phari- 
oh the king of Egypt's palace, and foretold, that Nebu- 
chadnezzar should conquer Egypt, and should set his 
throne upon those stones. Jer. xliii. 9, 10. 

39 Q. Among the several prophecies against the na- 
tions round about, did not Jeremiah foretel the destruc* 
tion of Babylon ? 

A. Yes ; he pronounced the severe judgments of God 
against Babylon, who had plundered Jerusalem in a no* 



128 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

tabic and dreadful manner, as Isaiah did be( 
which were eminently fulfilled, partly whe 
Persian took the city of Babylon, and partly in fol- 
lowing times. Jer. 1. and li. 

40 Q. What emblem or pledge did Jeremiah gr 
the accomplishment of this prophecj ? 

Jt, He wrote in a book all these threatenings, and 
bid Seraiah, one of the Jewish captives, read it when be 
came to Babylon, then bind a stone to it, and cast it into 
the river Euphrates, and say, Thus shall Babylon 
nnd shall never rise again. Jer. li. 59 — 04. 



CHAP. XVII. 

The History of Daniel. 

I Q. Who was Daniel ? 

A. A young man of the tribe of Judah, who was 
ried captive by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, in the 
reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah. J)nn. i. 1 — 6. 

£ Q. How was he disposed of in Bain i 

A. Daniel and his fellows, Shadrach, Meshach, and 
Abednego, were appointed to be nourished bv tin- 
provision, and to be trained up in the learning 
Chaldeans, that in three years time they might stand he- 
fore the king. ver. 5, 6. 

3 Q. And did they, being Jew-., eat of the kin^'- j»i <►- 
vision, which was prepared after the manner of the 
heathens ? 

Jl. No; they chose to be fed with pulse and \ 
rather than defile themselves with the king's meat. 
8—14. 

4 Q. How did they thrive bj 

•fl. Their countenances appeared fairer, and then 
pect was better approved by Melzar, who I 
them, than the rest who fed on royal daintiest 

5 Q. How did they approve themselves wfcen 
^vere culled before the king r 



Chap. ir. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 1£9 

Ji. The king found them far wiser and better than all 
the astrologers and magicians in his kingdom, ver. 20. 

6 Q. What was the first special occasion of Daniel's 
advancement at court ? 

J. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream which much 
troubled him, yet he forgot it in the morning ; and sent 
orders to destroy all the wise men and astrologers, be- 
cause they could not tell him both the dream and the in- 
terpretation thereof. Ban., ii. 1 — 13. 

7 Q. How did Daniel obtain this secret from God ? 
A. He engaged himself and his three companions, 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in prayer to the God 
of heaven, that he would reveal this secret to them, that 
they might not all perish together with the astrologers, 
whom the king had doomed to death. Dan. ii. 16 — 18. 

8 ^. What was this dream which Daniel rehearsed 
before the king ? 

Jl. There appeared a bright and terrible image, 
whose head was gold, his breast and arms of silver, his 
belly and thighs of brass, his legs of iron, and his feet 
part of iron and part of clay, which was dashed to pieces 
by a stone, and the stone became a mountain, and filled 
the whole earth, ver. 31 — 35. 

9 Q. What was the interpretation of it? 

Ji. It signifies the four great monarchies of the world, 
namely, the Assyrian, the Persian, the Grecian, and the 
Roman, which should destroy one another in succession ; 
and the last of them should be destroyed by the kingdom 
of Christ, which should spread through the earth and re- 
main for ever. ver. 31 — 45. 

10 Q. What honours did Nebuchadnezzar bestow 
on Daniel on this occasion ? 

Jl. He acknowledged the supremacy of the God of 
Daniel, he made Daniel ruler over Babylon, and at his re- 
quest made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, officers 
under him. ver, 46 — 49. 

11 Q. What became of Shadrach, Meshach, and 
Abednego ? 

Ji. Notwithstanding the honour the king had given 
them, jet they were cast into a fiery furnace, becausa 



130 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 17. 

they would not woi ge which king 

NeDuchadnezzar i: d set up. Dan iii. 1 — 

12 ({. Whal rem irkable pi I theii 
being cast into the furni 

Ji. Tlu' I. i bold- 

ly to w< 
made 
flame slew the men that cast them in f i 

13 ({. How were they saved i:i the fiery furn. • 

A. Though these three men were cast into the fur- 
nace bound, and : <!i ('own in the fire, tlj af- 
terward, the kin° saw four men ' ie fire, 
and thej r.i\rt: and the form of the fourth was 
like the son of God, 

ous person whom Nebuchadnezzar could d 
scribe than as a heavenly being, 

14 ({. What influence had thi< upon the king? 
A. He called them to come out of the furnace, 

blessed their God who had sent his angel to deliver them, 
and made a decree, that no man should sp 
the God of the Jews. vpv. 26 — L 28. 

15 Q. What other dream of Nebuchadnezzar's did 
Daniel interpret r 

*2. The dream of a tall and spreading tree that was 
cut down, and the stump of it was left in the earth, and 
that it should have a beast's heart given it instead of a 
man's for seven years. Han. iv. 1 — 

16 Q. What interpretation did Daniel I 

d. That Nebuchadnezzar the king should be driven 
from his kingdom, should run mad, and dwell 
years with the beasts of the earth, and then be rest 
to his reason and his kingdom again, ver. 19- 

17 ({. How soon was this fulfilled ? 

J. At the end of twelve months he was walk 
the palace of Babylon, and boasting of his grandeur and 
majesty, and there fell a voice from heaven that his 
dom was departed, and he should l>" driven from men: 
and immediately he was seized with madness, and th. 
sentence was executed upon him, and lie fled from th< 



Chap. 17. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 13 1 

society of men, and herded with the beasts in the open 
field. * ver. 28 — 33. 

18 Q. What did Nebuchadnezzar tto at seven years 
end, when his understanding and his kingdom were res- 
tored to him ? 

Q. He did further honours to the God of heaven, and 
published this history of himself, and these signs and 
wonders of the great God, throughout all his dominions. 
ver. 1 — 3. 

19 Q. What notice was taken of Daniel in the time 
of Bslshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar ? 

A. He was sent for to court to read and interpret 
three or four words which were written upon the wall 
by the apparition of a hand while Belshazzar was feast- 
ing. Ban. v. 5-- 1 6. 

20 Q. What was there in Belshazzar's feast that 
eminently provoked God against him ? 

A, He and his nobles drank in the holy vessels that 
were taken out of the temple of God at Jerusalem, and 
at the same time they praised their gods of gold and 
silver, of wood and stone. Ban. v. 1 — 4. 

21 Q. What was the meaning of this writing against 
the wall ? 

A. That God had finished Belshazzar's kingdom, 
and given it to the Medes and Persians, ver. 25 — 28. 

22 Q. What honour was done to Daniel ? 

A. He was immediately clothed in scarlet, with a 
chain of gold, and made the third ruler in the kingdom. 
ver. 29. 

; 23 Q. When was this sentence executed on Bel- 
shazzar ? 

A. He was slain that very night, by the army under 
the command of Cyrus the general, who after a long 
siege took the city of Babylon, and the kingdom was 
translated to Darius the Mede, the emperor of the 
Medes and Persians, ver. 30, 31. 

24 Q. Did Daniel lose his preferment by the change 
*f the kingdom ? 

A. No ; for Darius set Daniel over all the hundred 



&2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( bap. IT 

and twenty princes, and made liim first of the ihvcc 

presidents. Dan. vi. 1 — 3. 

25 (£. How did tlic envy of the \ id the 

princes persecute him on this occasion ? 

.1. They knew that Daniel would pray to his God, 
and they persuaded king Darius t<> Bign a decree, that it 
any man sliould ask a petition of any God or man for 
thirty days, besides of the king himself, he Should b 
into "the lions' den. ver. 4 — 9. 

£6 Q. "What did Daniel do when he heard of this 
decree ? 

Ji. He went to his house, and the windowi 
open toward Jerusalem, he prayed to his God three 
a day, according to his custom, ver. JO. 

27 Q. What was the consequence of this? 

*#. Though the king himself was sorry for 1 i- d< 
and tried all means to save Daniel, yet his enetni< 
vailed to have him cast into the den of lions, bt 
the laws of the Medes and Persians were not t«> be alter- 
ed, ver. 11- — 17. 

28 Q. Wherein did the king further shew his 
cern for Daniel r 

Ji. He passed the night without music or sleep, he 
went early to the lions' den in the morning, and found 
Daniel safe, to his great joy ; for God had shut the 
mouths of the lions, that they did him no hurt vir. 
18—25. 

29 Q. Wherein did king Darius manifest hit n 
ment against the enemies of Daniel r 

Ji. He cast them with their wives and children, 
the den of lions, who broke all their bones immediately. 
ver. 24. 

50 Q. What special regard did Darius shew to the 
true God on this occasion r 

JI. He sent a decree through all nations, that men 
should fear the God of Daniel, ver, 

51 Q. What are the other most remarkable I 
in the history of Daniel r 

A. The visions which he saw, the excellent | 
which he made for the restoration of the Jews from cap- 



Chap. 18. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 133 

tivity, and the other prophecies which were given him 
by angels. 

32 Q. What were some of his visions and prophe- 
cies? 

, Ji. Emblems and representations of the four monar- 
chies of the world, and of the kingdom of Christ ; and 
predictions concerning future events among the Jews, 
and other nations of the earth ; some of which are ex- 
pressed so plainly, that the enemies of the Bible sup- 
pose them to be written after those events came to pass. 
chap. vii. and viii. and xi. 

33 Q. What remarkable answer did Daniel receive 
to this excellent prayer of his for the restoration of the 
Jews ? 

Ji. The angel Gabriel was^ ordered to fly swiftly, and 
to inform him of his own acceptance with God ; of the 
commandment of the kings of Persia to rebuild the holy 
city ; of the time of the coming, and the death of the 
Messiah, to take away the sins of men ; and of the se- 
cond destruction of Jerusalem. Dan. ix. 20 — 27. 

34 Q. What other eminent prophecies did Daniel 
receive by his converse with angels ? 

Ji. Besides the various events relating to this world, 
he had some predictions concerning the Christian church 
and its troubles, and the period of them ; concerning 
the resurrection of the dead, everlasting life, and ever- 
lasting punishment, chap. xii. 



CHAP. XVIIL 

The History of Esther. 

1 q. Who was Esther ? 

Ji. A beautiful young Jewish virgin, whose ancestors 
were carried captive by the king of Babylon, in the days 
of Jeconiah, king of Judah. Esther ii. 5, 6. 

2 Q. W r here was she educated ? 

& She was brought up in Shushan, the palace of the 
13 



134 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (),, 

king of Persia, by Mordecai her first cousin, f< 

father and mother were dead. ver. 7. 

5 ({. To what honour was she advanced f 

Ji. King Ahasuerus took berinto his royal house, and 

made her queen in the room of his former queen, Vaatftti. 

ver. 16, 17. 

Able. This Ahaeuenu i- supj I bj Dr. Prideqprx, and 

that with great probability, I 

of Persia, who was called Longimanus \ and ul . 

ing influenced l>.\ Esther and Mordecai, gave a d< 

to promote the building of the temple .t .'■ rusj 

captivity in Babylon. See Chap. XIII. Qu. 0, and 13. 

4 Q. What was the occasion of Vashtft disgrace? 
Ji. When the king had made a most magnificent 

feast for all his nobles and princes, he Sent for Vashti to 
shew the princes her beauty, and to grace the f< 
but she refused to come. Esther i. IC — 12. 

5 Q. What service did Mordecai do for the king, 
which laid a foundation for his future advancement r 

A. He gave information against two of the chamber- 
lains who had conspired against the king, upon which 
they were tried and lian^ed. Esther ii. 01 — 

6 Q. "Who was made the king's chief favourite I lit- 
tle after this time ? < 

Ji. Kaman, of the seed of Agad the Amalekite. 
Esther iii. 1 , 2. 

7 Q. Wherein did Mordecai offend Haman ? 
Ji. H& refused to bow before him, and to do i 

ence to him, as the king's servants did at court n 

8 Q. How did Haman attempt to revenge hinu 
Ji. By persuading the kins; to send orders t<> d< 

all the Jews that were in all his dominions. 

9 ({. What did Mordecai do on this occasion f 
J. He desired Esther the queen to venture into 

king's presenre, though she were not called, Hi on 
petition the kin- for the lives of her people the 
Esther iv. 

10 Q. Did Esther comply with his request ? 

Ji. Though she knew it was death bv the law to ven- 
tre into the king^ presence, unless he held out nil 



Chap. 18. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. M 

den sceptre to her ; jet having first fasted and prayed to 
God 'three days,, and appointed the Jews*in Shushan to 
fast and pray, she ventured to approach the king. Est- 
her v. 1. 

11 Q. What success did queen Esther find? 

Jl. The king held out his golden sceptre to her, and 
promised to grant her request, even to the half of his 
kingdom. Esther v. 1 — 3. 

12 Q. What was Esther's first request to the king? 

J. That the king and Haman would come to a ban- 
quet which the queen had prepared for them ; which re- 
quest also she repeated the next day. Esther v. 3 — 8. 

13 Q. How was Haman employed on that day ? 

A. He rejoiced at the invitation that Esther gave 
him, and set up a gallows for Mordecai fifty cubits high, 
expecting that at his desire the king would order Mor-- 
decai to be hanged thereon, ver. 9 — 14. 

14 Q. How did the king pass the time that night ? 

•3. He could not sleep, and he had the book of re- 
cords read to entertain him, wherein was written Mor- 
decai's information of the conspiracy against the king. 
Esther vi. 1, 2. 

15 Q. What effect had this on the king? 

Ji. When he inquired and found that Mordecai had 
received no recompence for his faithfulness, he ordered 
Haman to array him in royal apparel, to set him on the 
king's own horse, and to do the highest honours to him in 
a public procession through the city. ver. 6 — 11. 

16 C(. In what remarkable ho'ar did Haman receive 
this order from the king ? 

A. At that very time when he was come to court to 
speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he 
had set up. ver. 4, 5. 

17 Q. When the king and Haman were come to the 
banquet, what was queen Esther's further request ? 

Ji. That the nation of the Jews, which were her kin- 
dred, might be delivered from the general massacre that 
Haman had contrived for them. Esther vii. 1—7. 

18^. What change of affairs ensued on this petition 
to the king ? - 



136 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 18 

A. The king commanded Hainan to bo banged on the 
gallows he had prepared for Mortlecai ; be put Moulecai 
into Hainan's jdace at court ; and sent orders throi 
his dominions for the Jews to defend themselves. / 
vii. 9, 10, and viii. 1 — 17. 

19 ({. Why was not the order for the slaughter of 
the Jews rather reversed r 

A. Because what is written in tin* kind's name, and 
sealed with Insuring, could not be reversed, according to 
the laws of the government, ver. 8, and God ordered it 
thus in his providence, for the public destruction of 
their enemies. 

20 Q. How did the Jews defend themselves in the 
day designed for their general slaughter r 

A. They slew seventy-rive thousand of those that 
rose up against them, and the ten sons of Hainan among 
the rest. Esth e r i x. 1 — 1 6. 

21 Q. What memorial of this great delivcran* 
preserved amongst the Jew^ r 

Jl. All the Jews agreed, by and with the authority of 
Esther and Mordecai, to keep the Hth and 15th day of 
the month Adar, every year, as a day of thank . 
for this salvation, ver. 20 — 32. 

22 ((. What was the name of this festival ? 

Jl. These two days were called the days of pnrim, 
from pur, which signifies a lot ; because Hainan h 
lots in a superstitious manner, to find out what month or 
day was the most lucky to execute his bloody d<-\'nt. 
against the Jews. Either i\. '■'.. 7. 

23 Q. How does this history appear to be a true ac- 
count of things, since there is not the least hint v 

the writer of it, not i* the name of God in it r 

J. Because it is delivered down to us among 
sacred writings by the Jews themselves, who we\ 
keepers »f ill.' oracles of (rod. Rom. iii. I. And b 
this teast of purim is observed by the Jews to thi 
in memory of this deliverance. 

V'/'f End of the Histories of th? 

Old Test a went. 



Chap. 19. bCRIPTURE HISTORY. ffi 



CHAP. XIX. 

.1 Continuation of the History of the Government 
and Church of' the Jews, from the End of the Old 
Testament^ to the Times of Christ. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The learned Dr. Prideaux hath written two large 
and valuable volumes, which he calls the Connection of 
the History of the Old and New Testament; wherein 
he gives us an account of all the most credible things 
that he can find in ancient historians, relating to the 
Jews and their customs, as well as their history, during 
that period of time between the end of the Old Testa- 
ment and the beginning of the New : he intermingles al- 
so a large collection of historical matters relating to 
Persia, Babylon, Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, 
Rome, and all the more known and remarkable nations, 
of the earth, wherein the great affairs of the four mon- 
archies of the world were transacted. This renders his 
work a little too tedious to those who expected nothing 
more than a mere continuation of the Jewish history to 
the times of our Saviour. 

Now it is only a very brief abstract of the history of 
the Jews which I endeavour here to set before the read- 
er, that he may gain a little acquaintance with the affairs 
of the Jews, or the church of God, from the days of Ne- 
hemiah, when Scripture history ends, to the beginning of 
the Gospel, and the times of Christ. A great part of it 
must be taken originally from Josephus, the Jewish his- 
torian, and from the books of Maccabees whom I have 
consulted upon this occasion ; but I have borrowed much 
further light and assistance from Dr. Prideaux in this 
matter, whose laborious collection from heathen writers, 
and his judicious determination in many dubious points, 
has rendered his work more complete and accurate, and 
mine more easy. 
13* 



158 SCRIPTl'KK HISTORY. Cha 



Sect. I. Of Nehemiah's further Reformation, Syna- 
gogues, Targums, Samaritans, Proselytes, 

Note. This chapter being «o lonir, the question 
tion shall be numbered apart. 

1 Q. What further reformation did Nehemiah make 
in Israel ? 

A. It is reported by the Jews, that he himself togeth- 
er with Ezra the scribe, having found a great \\ 
the knowledge of the law among the people, did about 
this time appoint the reading of the law in the several 
towns and cities; and on this occasion, it is sup] 
that synagogues began to be built throughout the land, 01 
at least to be restored and renewed, if there had been 
any built before. 

2 Q. Where were the synagogues to be built ? 

Jl. According to the account which the .lews have 
given us, they might be built in any town wheres 
they could find tew persons of full age, and of such con- 
dition and easy circumstances of life, as to be alw, 
leisure to attend the service. 

3 Q. What was the service performed in the syna- 
gogues ? 

Jl. Prayer and praise to God, reading the holy B 
tures, and preaching and expounding them. 

4 Q. In what manner were the Scriptures expound- 
ed? 

A. The Jews and their posterity having hist much 
of their own language in Babylon, did not so well under- 
stand the Scriptures in the Hebrew tongue ; and there- 
fore when Ezra read the law to the people, the 
was given to them in Chaldee, by man) Levit< 
stood by, and caused them to understand /A.' n 
Nehem. viii. 4 — 8. And this manner of readii 
Scriptures, \cr-c by verse, and translating it i: 
Chaldee, with some little paraphrase upon it, v. 
manner of expounding used in the ancient - 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 139 

Note 1. This was the original of the Jewish targums, which 
word in Chaldee signifies an interpretation. — For when syna- 
gogues were multiplied among the Jews, beyond the number of 
able interpreters, it became necessary that such translations of 
the Hebrew into Chaldee should be made, for the use of the 
teachers and the people ; and that in private families also, as 
well as in synagogues. 

There were anciently many of these targums, or translations, 
or expositions, and that upon different parts of Scripture, and of 
different sorts ; as there were also many different versions of the 
Scripture into Greek, in following ages, for the same purposes. 
Several of these targums are lost, through length of time ; but 
the chief of those which remain to this day, is the targum or 
Chaldee paraphrase of Onkelos, upon the law of Moses ; and 
the targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel, upon the prophets : Both 
which, some learned men suppose to be written before Christ ; 
and are by the Jews valued as equal to the Hebrew text. As 
for the Jerusalem targum, it is an exposition upon the law ; and 
others are on different parts of Scripture ; but they are all of 
less esteem, and of much later date. But neither the one nor 
the other of the targums were much known to the primitive 
Christian writers, though these expositions greatly favour the 
Christian cause. 

Note 2. Among the Jews, the books of Joshua, Judges, Sam- 
uel, and Kings, <fcc. are sometimes called the former prophets ,- 
and the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve mi- 
nor prophets, are called the latter prophets ; but they are all 
called the prophets : Thus the laiv and the prophets make up 
the whole Bible. 

Note 3. That there are in Daniel two hundred verses of the 
Bible written originally in Chaldee, and sixty-seven in Ezra, 
and one verse in Jeremiah, namely, ver. 11, chap. x. And 
some suppose, for this reason, there is no targum on- Daniel and 
Ezra ; neither indeed is there on Nehemiah, though that book 
be called Hebrew. 

5 Q. What were the times appointed for this service 
in the synagogues ? 

Ji. Two days in the week, besides the sabbath and 
their other festivals. The law being divided into so 
many sections or lessons as there are weeks in their year, 
they read half a lesson on Monday 'morning, and the oth- 
er half on Thursday morning ; and this same whole 
lesson they read on the sabbath, both morning and after- 
noon, Acts xv. 21. We are toid that reading the law 



140 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ,,. 

was a custom of ancient times on the - I when 

reading of the prophets was added to that of ti ■ 
they observed the same order in it. 

ti (£. What were the hours of their daily prai 

A. At the time of morning and cvi 
incense. Luke i. 9, i i. 1. Whil 

was i nse, the people were praying in the 

court : and Peter and John went up to prat/ in l : 
pie at ti to these hours they conform* d their 

prayer-, in the temple, anil in th id usu- 

ally too m their own hou 

JYWe. The Jew? supposed 1hat the offering up of th 
sacrifice?, and the burning of inc< i 
I to render God ; v<>] iti< us 
prayers acceptable ; and for this r i their 

times of prayer to these hours. So Davi 
2, Let my prayer be set before thee as incense, ice. Ai 
viii. 4, 5, — JLnd the smoke of the incense which canu with ihi 
prayer of the saint*, ascended up before God out of tht 
hands. 

7 Q. Had they any other season of prayer t* 
these two ? 

Jl. The Jews inform us, that besides these they had 
a prayer at the beginning of night, while the evening 
sacrifice was left burning on the altar. Thus, by 
three prayers in a day, they imitated the ancients ; !>.:- 
vid prayed morning, noon, and evening. Psalm lvii.dr. 
Daniel prayed three times a day. Dan. \i. 10. 

8 ^. ' Who ministered in the service of the 
gogue ? 

A. The priests and Levites were consecrated to the 
service of the temple: but for the service of the I 
gogue, persons of any tribe were appointed by some el- 
ders of that town, who were called rulers of the syna- 
gogue. So our Saviour, being of the tribe of Judah, 
lead and expounded in the synagogue. Luke i\. [I . 
after reading the law and the prophets, Paul and 
were engaged in preaching, when the master of the 
agogue asked them for a word of exhortation to 
people. Acts xiii. 15. 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 141 

9 Q. But were there not other places of prayer dis- 
tinct from the synagogues ? 

«/i. The synagogues were sometimes called prayer- 
houses, yet there were prayer houses called proseuchai, 
which differed from synagogues in three respects. (1.) 
Synagogues were built for public worship, but these 
places of prayer for any one's private devotions occasion- 
ally. (2.) Synagogues were covered houses, but the 
places of prayer were courts or inclosures, with walls, 
and open to the sky. (3.) Synagogues were chiefly in 
. towns or cities, the prayer-houses in open fields, or on 
mountains : such are mentioned where our Saviour spent 
a whole night in the prayer-house, as it should be trans- 
lated, Luke vi. 12, and thither pious persons resorted, 
and prayer was wont to be made. Acts xvi. 13, 16. 

10 Q. Is there any certainty that there were any 
synagogues before this time ? 

Jl. That there were some places of assembly for 
divine things in the land of Israel, before the destruction 
of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, seems 
pretty plain from Psalm lxxiv. 7, 8. They have burnt 
up all the synagogues of God in the land. Though 
they might be but very few, and not established by any 
authority, nor so constanty attended as afterward. And 
yet considering that the Jews fell so frequently into idol- 
atry before, and had so few copies of the law,' it is ques- 
tioned by some learned men, whether there were any 
such synagogues at all in tiie land of Israel till after the 
Babylonish captivity. 

11 Q. What eminent and remarkable service was 
done by these public places of worship? 

A. It is supposed that frequent public readings of the 
law in the synagogues, after that time, were a special 
means to excite and preserve in the people of the Jews 
that universal and perpetual hatred of idolatry,. to which- 
they were so shamefully prone before ; and it did also 
diffuse and maintain the knowledge of true religion and 
virtue in the land. 

, 12 ^. Were these synagogues built any where be- 
sides in Judea ? 



M«" SCJUPTURB HISTORY. Chtplfc 

Ji. \\ hen the Jews were afterwards scattered abroad 
into various nations, they built places of worship for 
themselves, wheresoever the rulers of the country would 
permit them. 

13 Q. Of what advantage were these syi j . 
the heathens, or afterward to Christianity ': 

jL It was by means of th 
heathens, where the Jews were dispersed, came i<> know 
the true God, and some general principles of virtue and 
piety, and became proselytes of the gate; and bj 
public places and seasons of worship, there was afterward 
an opportunity given to publish tin- gospel of Chi 
the apostles, both among the Jews and Gentiles. 
xvii. 1, 2, and xix. 8. 

14 Q. What is meant by proselytes of the gfttt f 
Ji. Those Gentiles who renounced idolatry, and re- 
ceived the knowledge and the worship of the one true 
God, the God of Israel; and fas some affirm) th< 
ceived also the rules of abstaining from blood and things 
strangled, and things offered to idols, which were forbid- 
den, Jicts xv. to the Gentile converts to Christianity. 

Note. These rules, with a few others, have been 
called the seven precepts of Noah, which the Jews m 
necessary for all the world to obey, 

them; and doubtless the laws given to N a to all 

'he world, because all sprang from him. 

15 ({. Why were they called proselytes of the . 
A. The word proselyte signifies one that embn 

new religion ; and they were called proselytes of the 
gate, because they were suffered to live within the 
of the Jews, according to the expression in the fourth 
commandment, the stronger which is within thy _ 
They were also permitted by the Jews to enter the 
ward court of the temple, called the court of th> 
tiles, when that was built, and to worship God there; 
but they were excluded from the gale of the inner couit. 

Note. These are they who in the hook <>f th< • I 
Apostlts are Buppi s< d l>\ some to be culled tin- dt unit ,-■ 
and those vho ftan I 
xvii. 4, and xiii. 16. Among t of the 



Sect. I. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 14S 

first Christian converts ; though there might be many persons 
too, who worshipped the one true God, who were under no 
proselytism to the Jewish church. 

16 Q. What were the other sort of proselytes ? 

A. They were such Gentiles as consented to be cir- 
cumcised, and obliged themselves to practise all the law 
of Moses ; GaL v. 3, therefore they were called proselytes 
of righteousness : they were taken into the Jewish na- 
tion, and united with them ; and were also called prose- 
lytes of the temple, because they were admitted by the 
Jews into the inner courts. 

Note. This distinction of proselytes has been supported by 
the common opinion for near two hundred years, but since it is 
said to have no better foundation than the Babylonish talmud, 
it is doubted by some learned men whether there were any 
proselytes, either under the Old or New Testament, besides 
those who were circumcised and complete. 

17 Qo Having heard this particular account of syna- 
gogues and proselytes, proceed now to say what was the 
last act of Nehemiah's reformation which we read in 
Scripture ? 

A. That he turned out Manasseh, the son or grandson 
of the high priest, for marrying the daughter of Sanballat 
the Horonite. JSTeh. xiii. 28. 

18 Q. What did Sanballat do with his son-in-law 
Manasseh on this occasion ? 

Ji, He procured a grant from Darius Nothus, who 
was now king of Persia, to build on Mount Gerrizim, 
near Samaria, a temple like that at Jerusalem, and to 
make Manasseh, his son-in-law, the high priest of it. 

19 Q. What was the consequence of this practice ? 

A. Samaria thenceforth became the refuge of the re- 
bellious Jews, who were called to account for breaking 
the sabbath, earing unclean meats, or were found guilty 
in sinning against the law in any remarkable instauces. 

20 Q. What change was wrought hereby among the 
Sanu^itans? 

A. Their first original was from some eastern hea- 
thens, who were planted there by the king of Assyria, 
after the captivity of Israel J but when, on several occa- 



144 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cn 

sions, Die Jews flocked to them, it made a considerable 
change in their religion : lor though before they worship- 
ped the God of Israel in conjunction with other 
Aings xvii. M — 11, they now cast off their idolatry: 
and since a temj le was built amongst them, in which the 
Jewish ser i< e was performed, and the law of Moses read 
publicly, i ey came much nearer to the worship <>t the 
true God, prescribed in Scripture. 

21 ($. Did not the Jews love them the better on thil 
account ? 

Ji. No, by no means; but they hated them giv 
ly. The enmity which began from the opposition which 
the Samaritans made to the Jews in their rebuilding Je- 
rusalem and the temple, was so exceedingly in< 
by their sheltering all the rebellious Jews, that the Jewi 
at Jerusalem published the bitterest curse against them, 
that ever was denounced against any people. 

22 Q. What miseries were contained in this • 

»#. The Jews forbid all communication with the Sa- 
maritans ; declared all tie fruits of their land, and their 
cattle unclean ; excluded them from being ever received 
as proselytes, and barred them, as far as possible, from 
having any portion in the resurrection ot the dead to 
eternal life. 

25 Q. What appearance of this great enmity do we 
find in the New Testament r 

A. This seems to be confirmed by the words of Scrip 
ture. John iv. 9. The Jews have no dealings with the 
Samaritans. And the woman of Samaria asked i 
viour, How is it that ?//'• w s asketh dri 

me, who am a woman of Samaria ? Aral v hen th. 
would give the worst name thev could to our Saviour. 
they said, Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil* 
John viii. 48. 



Sect. II. Of the Jewish J fairs under 
and Grecian Mo 

1 Q. How were the Jews gov< rned alter the 
of Nehemiuh r 



Sect. % SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 145 

.#. We find not any more particular governors of Ju- 
dea, made by the kings or emperors of Persia ; but Judea 
seems to be made subject to those whom the Persian 
kings made governors of Syria ; and that, under them, 
the regulation of affairs was committed to the high priest; 
so that he had all the sacred authority, and the civil 
power also, in a good measure, under the Syrian governor. 

2 <j[. Did the high priests continue their regular suc- 
cessions, as the eldest of Aaron's family ? 

Ji. This succession was sometimes interrupted by 
the emperors of the world, or their deputed governors of 
the provinces, appointing another person to take that 
office. 

3 Q. What is the first remarkable instance of that 
kind ? 

Ji. When Johanan, or Jonathan, the son of Joiada, 
JWi. xii. 11, had possessed the royal priesthood several 
years, Bagoses, the governor of Syria, appointed his 
younger brother, Jeshua, to depose Kim, and take the 
priesthood ; upon which there was a tumult in the inner 
court of the temple, and Johanan slew Jeshua there. 

4 Q. How did Bagoses, the governor, resent this ? 
Ji. He entered into the inner court of the temple, 

though the Jews forbid him as being unclean ; but he told 
them he was purer than the dead carcase of him whom 
they had slain there ; and imposed on the priests a fine 
of about thirty-one shillings, for every lamb that was offer- 
ed throughout the year. 

5 Q. What was the next more famous difficulty and 
deliverance which the Jews met with? 

Ji. They were most remarkably saved from the op* 
pression and resentment of Alexander the great, who 
was king of Macedonia in Greece, when they had refus- 
ed to assist him in the siege of Tyrus. 

6 Q. in what manner were they delivered ? 

_ A. When Alexander marched against Jerusalem, de- 
signing to punish the Jews on this account, Jaddua the 
high priest, the son of Johanan, being directed by a night 
vision, met the conquerer in his priestly robes, with the 
other priests attending him. in proper habits, nnd all the 
14 



146 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. l& 

people in white garments: Alexander being struck with 
this sight, saluted the high priest with a religious venera- 
tion, embraced him, entered Jerusalem in a friendly man- 
ner, and ottered sacrifice to Gotl in the temple, tor his 
late victories. 

7 ({. How came Alexander so suddenly to change 
his purpose, and behave himself with so much mild' 

J. Alexander declared, that lie himself, in Macedo- 
nia, had seen this very same person, thus habited, in a 
night vision, encouraging him to pursue his expedition 
against the Persians, and promising him sin i 

8 Q. What further favours did Alexander shew the 
Jews ? 

Jl. When Jaddua, the high priest, had shewn him the 
prophecies of Daniel, particularly chap. viii. v, 
where the he-goat is interpreted to be the king of ( > 
who should conquer the Medes and Persians ; and chap. 
xi. 3, he bid the Jews ask what they had to desire of 
him: and, according to their request, lie granted them 
/.he liberty of their own laws and religion, and a fn 
from tribute or taxes every seventh j 
they neither sowed nor reaped. 

9 Q-. Did Alexander succeed in his following 

and his attempts against the Persian empire, according 
to the Jewish prophecy ? 

Jl. When lie departed out of Judea and Palestine, he 
marched into Egypt which speedily submitted to him : 
there he built the city Alexandria, and peopled it with 
several nations, among whom wore many Jews, to whom 
lie <^ave the same privileges as to his own Maoedoi 
The next spring lie hastened to find out D 
mannus, king of Persia, whom he had route;! once I 
and lie now vanquished him in a final decisive battle 
near Aibcla, and became master of the Persian empire. 

10 i{. How long did he reign after this battle : 

A. He went on and conquered India; but in five 
time he fell into such riot and drunkennei 
put an end to his life ; though others say he was poisoned, 

\) Q. What became of the Jews alter 
death? 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 147 

A. A little after the death of Alexander, four of his 
generals divided his empire, who were the four horns of 
the he-goat, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, which 
grew up, after breaking the first horn. Daniel viii. 22, 
and xi. 4. And the Jews fell under the dominion of 
Ptolemy, afterward surnamed Soter, who had Egypt 
Arabia, Cselo-Syria, and Palestine, or the land of Israel, 
for his share. 

Here it may be observed, that as Ptolemy had Egypt, Pales- 
tine, fee. for his share, so Cassander had Macedonia and Greece ; 
Lysimachus had Thrace and Bithynia, and some other provin- 
ces thereabout? Seleucus had Syria, and the northern and east" 
em provinces in Asia. — Thus was the empire of Alexander the* 
great divided among his generals. 

— ' • 

Sect. III. Of the Jewish Affairs under Ptolemy 
Soter, Ptolemy Philadelphus, and Ptolemy Philo- 
pater, Kings of Egypt. Of the Great Synagogue, 
the Jewish Traditions, their Mishnah and Talmud ; 
and of the Septuagint Translation of the Bible into 
Greek. 

1 Q. How did Ptolemy king of Egypt deal with the 
Jews? 

A. Ptolemy designing to make Alexandria, which 
was built by Alexander, in Egypt, his capital city, he 
persuaded a multitude of Jews to settle there, granting 
them the same privileges as Alexander had done before 
him ; whence it came to pass that Alexandria had a great- 
er number of Jews still flocking to it. 

2 Q, What remarkable story is related of one Mo- 
sollam a Jew, who followed Ptolemy about this time ? 

A. When a certain soothsayer, or cunning-man, ad- 
vised a Jewish troop of horse, in which Mosollam rode, 
to stand still upon the sight of a bird in the way, and 
told them they should either go backward or forward, as 
that bird took its flight ; the Jew, being a great archer, 
immediately shot the bird with an arrow, and said, " How 
'* could that poor wretched bird foreshew us our fortune* 



148 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, 

"which knew nothing of its own ?"' Hereby he des 

to expose and condemn the superstition of the heathens. 

3 Q. How did it fare with the Jews that tree 
persed about Babylon ? 

.7. Seteucus, another of Alexande 
ruled in the greater and the lesser Asia, built i 
sixteen of which he called Antioch, from Antiot 
lather ! nine were called Seleucia from his own name : 
six Laodicea, from the name Laodice»his mother; o 
Apamea and Stratonice, from his wives! in all which he 
planted Jews, and gave them equal privileges with the 
Greeks or Macedonians, especially at Antioch in 
where they settled in sxeat numbers. 

4 Q. What considerable person rose among the Jews 
at Jerusalem about this time ? 

Jl. Simon the just, who is spoken of so honoti 
in the fiftieth chapter of Ecclesiasticus. I! 
priest of the Jews about this time, who merited \ 
nayne of the just, by his great holiness toward (iod, and 
justice toward men; and he was the last of the men of 
the great synagogue. 

5 Q. What was this great synagogue, and who were 
the men that composed it ? 

J. A hundred and twenty elders, who, in a continued 
succession, after the return of the Jews from Babylon, 
laboured in restoring the Jewish church and state ; and 
made it their chief care to publish the Scriptures to the 
people with great accuracy. 

6 Q. What part of this work i> attributed to Simon? 
Ji. It is supposed by some learned men, 

ded the two books of Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemia 
her, and the prophecy of Malachi, to the canon of 
ture ; which books were scarce supposed t.> bo inserted 
by Ezra, because several of thorn are thought to bo writ- 
ben by Ezra himself; and the books of Nehcmiab and 
Malachi were most likely written alter Ezra's nine. 

7 ({. Did the Jews after this time, when the Old 
Testament was completed, religiously confine then - 

to the direction of Si ripturc r 

•A After this time their traditions began to prevail: 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 149 

that is, the sayings of the ancients delivered down by 
tradition. 

Note. Though traditions prevailed about this time, yet the 
Mishnah, which is their secondary law, or a collection of tra- \ 
dilions, and which they pretend to be dictated from God to 
Moses, was not compiled and put together till above a hundred 
years after the time of Christ, by Rabbi Judah Hakkadash : 
and this Mishnah, together with their comments on these things, 
are called the Talmud. 

Note. There are two talmuds : that of Jerusalem, which was 
complete about three hundred years after Christ ; and that of 
Babylon, about five hundred years.: but each of them have the 
same Mishnah though with different comments, which comments 
are called the Gemara. 

8 q. Who were the chief teackers of this secondary- 
law or traditions ? 

A, Antigonus of Socho was the*first of them, who 
being an eminent scribe in the law of God, was president 
of the Sanhedrim, or Senate of the elders at Jerusalem, 
great master of the Jewish school, and a teacher of 
righteousness to the people, and of these traditions. 
Afterward all the teachers or doctors of the Jewish law 
were in the New Testament sometimes called scribes t 
sometimes lawyers or those who sat in Moses's sent, 

9 Q. What special honour was paid to these men ? 

A. Besides other respects shewed them by the peo- 
ple, who called them rabbi, and highly esteemed them, 
it was out of these doctors, that the great Sanhedrim, or 
council of seventy-two, was chosen to govern the whole 
nation ; and the lesser council of twenty-three, which 
was in every city of Judea^ > 

Note. These were called rulers, or elders, or counsellors ; 
such were jNicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Gamaliel. 

Note here also, that in the Jewish Talmudical books, or their 
fabulous writings, on which we cannot much depend, we are 
told, that about this time one Sadoc mistook the doctrine of 
Antigonus of Socho, his master T who taught, "that we ought 
u not to serve God in a servile manner, merely with respect t©' 
u the reward ;" and inferred from hence, that there were no re- 
wards after this life, and begun the sect of the Sadducees % 
though it may be justly doubted, whether this, and other dan- 
gerous doctrines of this sect, arose so early among the Jews- 
14* 



150 SCRIPTLRH HISTORY. (hap. 19 

10 Q. Since the Jews were dispersed into ><» main 
countries, did they not acquaint the Gentiles with then 
religion ? 

Ji. Yes ; for Ptolemy Soter set up a col h. 
ed men at Alexandria in Egypt, and begun a library 
there; which Ptolemy Philadelphus, his younget 
and successor, improved to one hundred thousand rol- 
umes : this prince is reported to have commanded the 
Hebrew law to be translated into Greek, to add to this 
library of his, that the Gentiles might read it: and ac- 
cordingly it was done. 

Note. This college of learned men was < ncouraged, and the 
library increased by several Ptolemies successively, till it 
to seven hundred thou^oid books. Botl 
Alexandria a fatuous place of residence and r< sort i""i ! 
men for several ages. . It happened that fhe lam r balf 
library was burnt by Julius Caesar in hi- \ iv ; the 

other part was by continual recruits, enlarj t num- 

ber than the whole library before ; but it w;.- finally burnt and 
destroyed by the Saracens, in the year of our Lor>: 

11 Q. In what manner is this translation reported to 
be made ? 

A. Aristeas, the most ancient writer on, this subject. 
and Josephus the historian, who follows him, acqua 
that after this Ptolemy had gained the favour of the 
Jews, by paving the ransom of a hundred thousand of 
their countrymen, who were enslaved in Egypt, he pro- 
cured six elders out of every tribe of Israel, (whic 1 
in all seventy-two) to come to his court; and a> 
trial of their wisdom, by some particular qui 
put to each of them, he appointed them to translate 
law of Moses, by conferring together about I 
it, in the isle of Pharos: which being afterwards read to 
him, and approved bv him, he uave them a liberal reward. 
Upon this account this translation is called the S^jttua- 
ginty that is, the translation of the Beventj, or seventy- 
two elders. 

12 Q. But did not this story, in following time- - 
much more fabulous \ 

«0. Philo the Jew, who lived about our Sai 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 151 

reports, that each of these seventy-two elders were put 
into a distinct cell, and were required to translate the 
whole Bible apart; and that they performed it so exactly 
alike, word for word, that it was approved as miraculous 
and divine : and even several fathers of the Christian 
church, being too credulous and fond of miracles, have 
received this story, and conveyed it down in their writ- 
ings. 

13 Q. How doth it appear to be a fable ? 

Ji. The great imperfection of this translation, discov- 
ers that it was no divine work, nor performed by miracle : 
besides, the several contradictions, and the uncertainties 
that are mingled up and down with this story, do utterly 
overthrowfhe credit of it. 

14 Q. Upon the whole view of things, what is the 
best account of this translation ? 

Ji. In the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphia there was 
such a version made of the five books of Moses, by the 
Jews of Alexandria, into the Greek language, pi obably for 
their own use, and for the use of their countrymen ; for 
the Jews in their dispersions had used themselves to the 
Greek tongue, the conquests of Alexander and his Gre- 
cian army having spread their language through the 
world; and when Ptolemy Philadelphus had erected 
such a noble librai/^ he was desirous to have this book 
deposited there. Whether his request or command gave 
any occasion to this translation, is hard to determine. 

15 Q. Were not the other sacred writings translated 
into Greek also, as well as the five books of Moses ? 

Ji. When the reading of the prophets as well as the 
taw came into use in the synagogues, many years after- 
wards, in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, this occa- 
sioned a Greek translation of the prophets to be made ; 
and so the whole Old Testament was complete, which 
we now call the Septuagint. 

16 Q. Did the Jews generally come to use this Greek 
translation of the Bible ? 

A. In and after the time of Ezra, the' Scriptures 
were read to the Jews in Hebrew, and interpreted intfr 
the Chaldee language, which they had learnt in Babylon^ 



152 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

and was become most familiar to them, hut at Alexan- 
dria, after the making of this Greek version, it * 
terwards interpreted to them in Greek, which was after- 
wards done also in all other Grecian cities, whit* 
Jews were dispersed. And from hence, those Jewa 
called Hellenists or Grecizing Jews, j used 

the Greek language in their synagogues ; and by that 
name they were distinguished from the Hebrew Jews, 
who used only the Hebrew and (ha Idee languagi 
their synagogues. And this distinction we find made 
between them. Jicts vi. 1. For the word which we there 
translate Grecians, is in the original 'EXXwuvm, that is, 
Hellenists. So Dr. Prideanx. 

17 Q. But did not the evangelists and the spot 
who were the writers of the New Testament, pa\ 
honour to this Greek translation ? 

A. Yes; they cited many scripture- of the Old '1V-- 
tament, according to this translation, because it \ 
best Greek translation they had ; and it was by this time 
well known amongst the Jews in Judea, as well as 
who were scattered round the nation-. 

18 Q. Did the Jews in Judea continue in pea- 
der the government of the kinir- of Egypt r 

Ji. The successors of the four generah of Alei 
the great, who divided the world am'ongst them, and par- 
ticularly the kings of Egypt and Syria, being frequently 
engaged in wars for enlarging their kingdoms, th< 
were reduced to vers great difficulties, and bod i 
were at a loss what side to choose : they were in d 
on both sides, and were sometimes distressed and i 
ably grinded between the one and the other. 

19 (\. Did they maintain the purity of their temple 
and worship ? 

J\. They were often exposed to grievous difficulties 
on this account When Ptolemy Philopater, of I 
reigned over those provinces, he would ofter 
to the God of Israel for his success against Antiochun the 
great, the successor of Seleucus, king i Syria; snd be 
was not content to stay in the outer i would 

have pressed into the sanctuary, and even the h< 
holies. 



Sect. 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 153 

20 Q. How was he prevented from entering ? 

Ji. The priests and the Levites, and all the people 
lifted up their hands to God in prayer, and when the 
king had passed the inner court, and was entering into 
the temple, he was smitten from God, with such terror 
and confusion of mind, that he was carried out of the 
place half dead. 

21 Q. But did not Ptolemy resent this afterwards? 
d. He purposed to be revenged on ail the Jewish 

nation ; when he came to Alexandria he ordered them to 
sacrifice to his gods; and if they refused, he "took away 
their privileges, which they had enjoyed in Egypt from 
the time of Alexander the great; he ordered them to be 
enrolled ain^g the common people of Egypt, and to have 
the mark ^PSn ivy-leaf, the badge of his god Bacchus, 
impressed upon them by a hot iron ; and those who re- 
fused it, should be made slaves, or put to death. 

22 Q. AY hat did the Jews of Alexandria do on thi&^ 
occasion ? 

Jl. A few of them forsook their God to gain the fa- 
vour of their king : but many thousands stood firm to 
their religion : and though several of them were enroll- 
ed and branded with the ivy-leaf against their will, yet 
they shewed a great abhorrence of all their countrymen 
that sacrificed to the gods of the king. 

25 Q. Plow did Ptolemy bear with this conduct of 
theirs ? 

A. He resolved to destroy the whole nation of the 
Jews; and therefore, first he ordered all that lived any 
where in Egypt, to be brought in chains to Alexandria 
to be slain by his elephants. 

24 Q. And were they destroyed according to the 
king's appointment ? 

A. The elephants being made drunk with wine and 
frankincense* and let loose upon them, instead of falling 
upon the Jews, they turned all their rage upon the spec- 
tators, and destroyed great numbers of them. 

25 Q. What influence had this upon the king \ 

*#. He durst no longer persecute his rage against 
them ; but fearing the vengeance of the God of Israel 



154 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

upon himself, be revoked liis cruel stored 

their privileges, and gave leave to put to death il i 
that had abandoned their religion and worshipped k ols. 

\nti . This storj is found in that which is called the third 
Book of Maccabees, written 1>\ some ancient Jew un 
title, be< unt of the persecution and 

ranee of the Jews, as thj firsl and -< i ond fcw ■ k aj M 
Though thi> was transacted long b< fore the n/fiuejui Ma< 

first booh than the third. It i'-*ot t'ouifVa^^Mofer . 
phal books, because it was a \tr^^mx\\)z \ 

version of the Bible, but it is found in many of th( 
of the Greek Septuagint, and particularly that of the Alexandri- 
an manuscript in the king's library. 



Sect. IV. Of the Jewish Affair* under JBntiochus 
the great, Seleucus, and Jntiochus Epiphane*. 
Kings of Syria, 

1 Q. Did the Jews afterwards at Jerusalem continue 
under the government of the Ptolemies, who 

of Egypt ? 

JI. When Ptolemy Philopater was dead, and I 
my Epiphanes cam6 to the crown, the Jews having 
greatly persecuted by the Ptolemies, submitted them- 
selves to Antioclius the great, king of Syria : and when 
he came to Jerusalem in a solemn procession, the\ 
to meet him, and received him gladly. 

2 Q. How did Antiochus reward them r 

A. He granted them many privileges, as lie had 
to their countrymen, who were settled in Babylon 
Mesopotamia, having always found the men of that na- 
tion faith Jul to him. 

3 Q. What confidence did he put in them on this 
account ? 

Ji. lie transported several of them from Babylon t.> 
the lesser Asia, to keep his forts and garrisons, ami 
them good settlements there ; whence sprang •' 
pari >f the Jews that were found in that coi 
apostles' times. 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY- 155 

4 Q. What remarkable events fell out in the days of 
Seleucus Philopater, son and successor to Antiochus tin 
great ? 

J. Simon, a Benjamite, baing made governor of th< 
temple, some difference arose between him and Oniat 
the third, the high priest, an excellent man, concerning 
some disorders in the city : and when Simon could noi 
obtain his will, he informed Appollonius, the governor o\ 
the province under Seleucus, that great treasures were 
hid in the temple ; whereupon Heliodorus the treasurer, 
was sent to seize them. 

5 Q. How did the hand of God appear against He- 
liodorus in his attempt to enter the temple ? 

Jl. The priests and the people made great outcries 
and supplications to God ; upon which Heliodorus is re- 
ported to have seen a vision of a horse, with a terrible 
rider upon him, who smote Heliodorus with his forefeet; 
and two young men appeared who scourged him sorely : 
upon which Heliodorus fell suddenly to the ground in 
darkness and confusion ; but being restored by the pray- 
ers of Onias, he acknowledged the power of God, and 
departed from the city. 

Read this story more at large, 2 Maccabees, chap. iii. I con- 
fess it seems to have something a little fabulous in the air of it, 
as also other stories in that book. 

6 ^. How came so good a man as Onias to be turned 
out of the priesthood ? 

A. When Antiochus Epiphanes succeeded his brother 
Seleucus in the kingdom of Syria, Jason bribed him with 
a large sum of money to turn out his own brother Onias, 
banish him to Antioch, and confer the priesthood on 
himself; not that he affected it as it was a religious of- 
fice, but as it included the power of civil government. 
2 Mace. iv. 7, 

7 Q. What did this wicked Jason do when he was 
high priest ? 

Jl. He erected a place of exercise at Jerusalem, for 
training up youth according to the fashion of the Greeks, 
and made as many of them as he could forsake the re- 



1.56 SCRimHK HISTORY. Cbap. 19. 

ligious customs and usages of their forefathers, and eon- 
form themselves in many things to the COStmi and 
ceremonies of the heathens, ver. ( .>, &c. 

8 ({. What became of. this Jason ? 

Ji. A few years after, when he employed Met 
his brother to pav his tribute at the Syrian court, I 
supplanted by him; for Menelaus by bribery obtained 
the priesthood, and put Jason to Right. 

9 Q. Did Menelaus behave himself better in his 
office ? 

JL He was worse than Jason ; he stole some of the 
vessels of gold out of the temple, he went to Antioch, 
"where he was reproved by Onias, who was yel 
for his wickedness, and out of revenge procured I 
to be slain. 

10 (±. "What was done at Jerusalem in the mean 
time r 

Ji, Lysimachus being left as a deputy by Mei 
practised many sacrileges on the vessels of the temple, 
which occasioned a great insurrection in the city, where- 
in multitudes on the part of Lysimachus weir wounded 
and slain, and the church-robber himself was killed. 

11 Q. Did Jason ever return again to Jerusalem : 
Ji. When there was a false report of the death of 

Antiochus, Jason with a thousand men assaulted the ci- 
ty, and slew many citizens, but was at last put to flight : 
and being driven from country to country, ami from i itv 
to city, he perished in a strange land, without the honour 
of a burial. 2 Jlacc. v. 5 — in. 

12 Q. Did Antiochus the king suffer thes 
pass unresentedr 

Ji, Upon the report of such a tumult in Jerusalem, 
he imagined that Judea had revolted, and lie t ante upon 
the city, and ordered his men of war not to spare young 
or old, and there were fourscore thousand destroyed in 
the space of three days, 

13 ({. What profaneness was Antiochus guilty of in 
the temple r 

A. Being condurted by Menelaus into the temple, he 
took away the remaining holy vessels, the altar of in- 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 157 

cense, the golden table and the candlestick ; he tore off* 
the golden ornaments of the temple, and robbed it of the 
hidden treasures, he offered a large sow (that unclean 
and forbidden beast) on the altar of burnt-offering, and 
left Jerusalem overwhelmed in blood and mourning. 

14 ^. Did he pursue this mischief and madness any 
longer ? 

Ji. Two years after he sent Apollonius, his collector 
of tribute, with a thousand men, who fell suddenly on 
the city on the sabbath, while they were at worship, and 
slew the citizens and the priests ; made the sacrifices 
cease, led the women and children captive, pulled down 
the houses and the walls, built a castle or fortress on a 
high hill in the city of David over against' the temple, to 
overlook and annoy them, and placed a garrison therein, 
and laid up the spoils of the city there. 

15 Q. What further instances of rage did Antiochus 
shew against the Jewish religion ? 

A. He issued out an order, that all his dominions 
should be of one religion, chiefly designing to distress 
the Jews : he forbid their children to be circumcised, 
and forbid all burnt-offerings and sacrifices in the temple 
to the God of Israel : he called it the temple of Jupiter 
Olympus, set up his image on the altar, and sacrificed to 
it; he commanded the people to profane the sabbath, 
he set up altars and groves, and chapels of idols through- 
out the cities, and required them to offer the flesh of 
swine and other unclean beasts, arid then to eat it ; 
and he destroyed the books of the law wheresoever they 
were found. 

Note. This image of Jupiter, set up on the altar by Anti- 
ochus Epiphanes, is supposed to be the abomination that mak- 
eth desolate, foretold by Daniel, chap. xi. 31, as the Roman 
ensign, Avith the eagle on it, which was the bird of Jupiter, set 
up in the temple, was the abomination of desolation which 
Daniel foretels, Dan,, ix. 27, and chap. xii. 11, and which our 
Saviour refers to, Matt. xxiv. 15. Abomination is the common 
name for an idol in the Old Testament : and Avhen such are set 
up in the sanctuary, it may' well be called desolation, for the 
priests are drirfen away, and the true worship of God ceases. 

Observe yet further, that this Antiochus Epiphanes is called 
15 



158 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap, m 

by some the Jewish Antichri-t ; ! ■ 1 of the same 

things are foretold of him !>,> the prophet Daniel, which 
po predicted of the Roman Antichrist, in the Christian church, 
by the apostle John. 

16 Q. Did any of the Israelites comply with hi? 
commamU: 

A. Though there were multitudes who would not de- 
file themselves, and break the law of God, yet too many 
of them for fear, and some out of ambition to please the 
king, conformed to his religion, and sacrificed, and burnt 
incense to idols in the streets of the cities of Judea. 

17 Q. How did the king punish those that refiu 

A. He put the men to death every month, he slew 
several women that had caused their children to be cir- 
cumcised, hanged the infants about their necks, and kill- 
ed those that circumcised them. This persecution may 
be seen more at large., 1 Mace. chap. i. and iii. and C 
Macc. vi. 

38 ({. What did the Samaritans do on this occas 
A. When the Jews were in prosperity, they chal- 
lenged kindred with the Jews : but they disowned them 
when they were under persecution: and the el 
this occasion they made no apology to Antiochi 
king, for having heretofore used the Jewish rites ; bat 
now having renounced them, they complied with the 
heathen religion, and desired their temple ou .Mount 
•Qerrizim might be made the temple of the Grecian Ju- 
piter, the defender of stranger*. 2 Mace* vi. 



, V. Of Mattathias, the Father of the Macca- 

/>. es. and tlh< great Reformer, 

1 <£ When the persecution Judea. 

was there any eminent public opposition made to it t»\ 
any of the Jew s r 

J. Mattathias^ a priest of the course of Joarib, who 
dwelt in Modin, was complimented b\ 

tempted to comply with heathen worship there, ao 



Sect. 5. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. f5Sr 

cording to the king's commandment ; but he boldly re- 
nounced their superstitions, and declared his resolution 
to die in the" religion of the Jews. 1 Mace. ii. 

2 Q. What instance did he give of his courage and 
zeal ? 

A. When one of the Jews came to sacrifice on tne 
heathen altar which was at Modin, he could not forbear 
to shew his indignation, as a zealot, but ran and slew the 
man upon the altar, and at the same time killed the 
king's chief officer there, who came to enforce these 
wicked commands. 

3 Q. In what manner did he maintain this bold en- 
terprise ? 

A. He cried with a loud voice through the city, Who- 
soever is zealous of the law let him follow me. So he 
and his sons fled to the mountains, and a great number 
of Jews fled with him, and hid themselves in the wilder- 
ness. 

4 Q. Did not the king's army pursue them r 

*#. Yes ; and camped against them, and attacked a 
considerable number of them on the sabbath day. 

5 Q. And did the Jews make no resistance ? 

A. None at all, because it was the 6abbath ; but they- 
said, Let us all die in our innocency : whereupon a 
thousand people were slain. 

6 Q. Did Mattathias and his friends approve of this 
conduct ? 

A. It seems as if their zeal at first approved of it ; 
but upon better consideration they decreed,, it was lawful 
and necessary for them to defend themselves, if they 
were attacked again on the sabbath day. 

JVo/e. This decree was ratified by the consent of all the 
priests and elders amongst them, and it was sent to all others 
through the land, and was made a rule in their following wars. 

7 ^. What did king Antiochus do, when he heard of 
this bold and public resistance made to his commands 
and Ms government ? 

A Hi executed very great cruelties on all the Jews 
that fell into his hands, who would not forsake the law of 
Moses ; since the mere terrors of death did not affright 
them. 



160 SCRIPTURE HISTORY*. Chap. 19 

8 Q. What very remarkable instances do we find in 
history of this cruelty ? 

A. Seven brethren, with their mother, were terribly 
tormented, to constrain them to eal swine's flesh, which 
the law or Moses forbids. 

9 Q. How did they endure their torments? 

J. With great courage, one after another, in a long 
succession, they bore the various tortures that wei 
flicted on them, and declared they were ready to sutler 
rather than transgress the laws of their fathers. 

10 Q. What tortures were those which the ki' j 
edited upon them ? 

A- A great variety of exquisite and bloody cruel ties : 
their limbs were cut off, their tongues were cut out, they 
were fried in frying-pans, the skin of the head was font 
off with the hair, and they died under the anguish and 
violence of these torments; while their mother .. 
same time looked on, and encouraged them all to Buffer 
boldly, in opposition to the entreaties, threatening - 
commands of the king. 

11 Q. In what manner did she encourage her sons 
in their su fife rings ? 

.7. "Rv the tendpro^ e™~**~**~~ - r ~- 

mother to her sons, she beseeched them to fear God, and 
not man; and to endure, in hope of a happy resurrec- 
tion, when she should receive them all again in mercy. 

12 Q. Did she herself also sutler the torment ? 

A. When she had seen all her sons die like martyrs 
before her, she finished that sad spectacle, and died also 
for her religion. £ Mace. vii. 

13 Q. What did Mattathias do all this while in the 
mountains? 

.7. lie still encouraged the Jews to join with him, 
and among others, there were many of t ! 
who were zealous for the law, resorted to him. 

14 Q. Who were these dssideans, or Ch 
it ought to be written ? 

■ !■ A. sect among the Jews, wh 
or the pious, who were not onlv zealous of the la 1 
of many other constitutions and tradition-, and forms ol 
mortification, beyond what the lav reciuii 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 161 

those who contented themselves with what was written 
in the law, were called Zadikim, or the righteous. 

15 Q. What exploits did Mattathias and his friends 
perform ? 

A. They went round about the towns and villages, 
pulled down the heathen altars, and circumcised the 
children ; they slew and put to flight many of their en- 
emies, and recovered several copies of the Jewish law. 

16 Q. When Mattathias died, who succeeded him? 
A. Just before his death he made a noble speech to 

his five sons to encourage them in the defence of their 
religion and their country: he recommended his son Si- 
mon, as a man of counsel, but he made bis son Judas, 
surnamed Maccabeus, their captain. 

17 Q. How came he to be called Maccabeus? 

A. The motto of his standard was the first letters of 
that Hebrew sentence, Exod. xv. 11, Mi Camoka 
Backlim Jehovah, that is, Who is like to thee among the 
Gods, Lord? Which letters were formed into the ar- 
tificial word Maccabi, and all that fought under his 
standard were called Maccabees. 

Note. This has been a common practice among the Jews, to 
frame words in this manner. So Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon, that 
is, the son of Maimon, is called Rambam ; Rabbi Solomon 
Jarchi, is called Rasi. Nor is the use of the first letters of 
words for such kind of purposes unknown among heathens or 
Christians. The letters S. P. Q, R. were written on the Roman 
standard, for Stnatus Populus Quce Romanus ; that is, " the 
Roman senate and people." Jesus Christ our Saviour hath 
been called a Fish, in Greek 1X0 YS, by the fathers, because 
these are the first letters of those Greek words, Jesus Christ, , 
God^s Son, the Saviour. 



Sect. VI. Of the Jewish Government under the^ 
Maccabees, or Jismonians : and first of the three 
Brothers Judas, Jonathan, and Simon. 

1 q. What valiant actions did Judas and his breth- 
ren do, in defence of the law, and against their perse- 
cutors ? 

15* 



162 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] 

« 
Jl. He won many battles against kin^ Antiochus ind 
his generals, and encouraged himself and his BoMiera in 
the name of God, whensoever they began to faint 

2 ((. Where are these acts of Judas and his breth- 
ren recorded ? 

Ji. The earliest account of them is found in the first 
and second book of Maccabees. 

Here note, That the first book of M curate 

and excellent history, and comes oearesl to the style and man- 
ner of the sacred writings : and i- suppoei ! to !>•• w ritttii a little 
after these persecutions and wars w< 

book consists of several pieces of much less value: It , 
with two epistles from the Jews of Jerusalem, but both ■■■■ 
posed to be fabulous stories, and in some | 
true. The following parts of it pretend to be an abridgm 
the history of one Jason ; it relates some of the | 
Antiochus, and the acts of Judas, amplified with particul 
cumstances ; but it is not of equal esteem with the lir-t 
for it seems to affect miracles and prodig 
reasonable credibility. 

3 Q. How did king Antiochus resent thes 
of Judas, and liis successes against him ? 

A. "When he went into Persia to gather the tribt 
the countries there, he left Lysias with half his army, 
and with express orders to destroy and root the Jei 
of their land ? 

4 Q. Did Lysias pursue the kind's ordei 
j3. Yes; with great diligence he sought 

these cruel orders: his army, of forty thousand foot 
and seven thousand horse, encamped at Etonians near 
Jerusalem ; and another army of a thousand merchants, 
flocked thither upon presumption of their victory, with 
great quantities of silver and gold to buy the eaptives 
For slaves. 

5 ^. How did their wicked counsel to destroy 1 - 
succeed ? 

jj. When thev were thus secure and confide] 
success, Judas ami his brethren assembled at Mizpah, 
fasted, put on sackcloth, laid open the book of ri 
before God, where the heathens had painted their in 
cried mightily unto God for help, sounded the tru: 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. I6S 

brought the army into order, and prepared for battle and 
for death, unless God pleased to make them conquerors. 

6 ^. AY hat was the event of so much pious zeal and 
courage ? 

A. Judas and his army put to flight and destroyed 
several large parties that Lysias had sent against him, 
they drove the enemy out of Jerusalem, and almost out 
of the land of Judea, and took a very large booty both 
from the army and the merchants. 

7 Q. What was the first work that Judas and his 
people applied themselves to upon this great success ? 

A. They went up into Mount Zion, and when they 
saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, the gates 
burnt up, shrubs and grass growing in the courts of the 
temple, they rent their clothes, tell down upon their 
faces, and made great lamentation, with humble cries to 
heaven. 

8* (£. H af l they power and time to repair the temple, 
and restore the worship of God ? 

*?. • Yes ; they applied themselves to the work with 
all diligence, they sought out priests of blameless con- 
versation to cleanse the sanctuary ; they pulled down 
the altar of burnt-offerings, because the heathens had de- 
filed it : they built a new- altar, as the law directs, with 
whole stones; they made new holy vessels, the altar of 
incense, the table, and the candlesticks, all of gold, 
which they had taken from their enemies ; and they set 
all the parts of divine worship, in order again, and offer- 
ed sacrifice according to the law. 

9 Q. How did they kindle the sacred fire on the 
altar r 

A. Having lost the fire which came down from heav- 
en, which was kept burning on the altar at Jerusalem 
before the Babylonish captivity, they struck fire with 
flints, and so kindled the sacrifices and the lamps. 2 
ffiacc* x. 3^ 

Note. We do.not read, that the second temple ever had thfa 
j sacred fire : the story of Jeremiah's hiding it, in 2 Mace chap, i, 
is counted a mere fable. 



164 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

10 Q. Was there any thing remarkable in (he time 
or day of this restoration of temple worship? 

Jl, That very day three years wherein tlie heathen 
had profaned the altar by the offering of unclean b 
on it, it was dedicated with songs, and harps, and cym- 
bals, and burnt-offerings of God's appointment, and that, 
for eight days together. This w.i^ two years after Ju- 
das had the chief command, and *hree years and a half 
after the city and temple had been laid desolate by Apol- 
lonius. 

11 Q. What lasting memorial was appointed for this 
restoration of the worship of God in the temple: 

A. Judas and his brethren, and the whole congi 
tion ordained that these days of the dedication of the 
altar should be kept yearly with mirth and gladness. 

12 Q. Did the worship of God continue long here 
after this solemnity ? 

•5; We are told by historians, that it continued from 
this time without any interruption from the heathens till 
the destruction of the temple by the Romans, tbotig 
rusalem and the temple were often in the hands i 
heathens. 

Jfote. Some pay tins was that verj ication, which 

our Saviour honoured w%h his presence at Jerusalem : tlnuujh 
others think it was the dedication of Solomon^ tempk 
the season being winter, it rather agrees to the tiim at Maccu- 
beus's dedication. 

13 Q. AVerc not the Jews at all annoyed or til- 
ed by the enemy in this pious work r 

Jl. There was still that fortress built by Apollonius 
remaining in the hands of the heathens and apo 
Jews; it stood on Mount Acra, a rising ground over 
against the mountain of the temple, and rather higher 
than that mountain, whence the Jews received some an- 
noyance in going to the temple. 

14 Q. What farther care did Judas and his pi 
take for their own security ? 

Jl. When they could not drive out the enemy at • 
they built up Mount Zion, with high walls and - 
towers, and put a garrison there to keep it, and M I 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 165 

possible to secure the priests and people when they went 
to worship, and to prevent the Gentiles from treading 
down the sanctuary again. 

15 (£. Did Judas and his people continue to enjoy 
peace ? 

Jl. Though they maintained the temple worship, yet 
they were still engaged in war : for all the nations round 
about them were much displeased that the sanctuary was 
restored, and they attacked the Jews on every side ; but 
God gave Judas and his brethren the victory in many 
battles ; and they returned to Jerusalem, and gave thanks 
to God in Zion for his remarkable protection of them, that 
they had not lost one man. 1 Mace. v. 54. 

16 Q. Did Judas make any more expeditions against 
his enemies ? 

Jl. He led forth his forces against Gorgias, one of An- 
tiochus's generals, and against the Idumeans, who had 
been very vexatious to the Jews ; and though several of 
the Jews were slain, yet Judas renewing the courage of 
his army by singing psalms with a loud voice, and rush- 
ing upon their enemies, put them to flight. 

17 Q. What remarkable crime was found among the 

Jews ju&i v:ere slajs r 

A. When they came to bury their dead, they found 
things consecrated to idols under the garment of every 
Jew that was slain, whereupon the people praised the 
Lord, the righteous Judge of men : but, without any en- 
couragement from Scripture, they offered sacrifices and 
prayers for the pardon of the dead. 2 Mace. xii. 54, &c. 

Note. It is from this place, in the second book of the Macca- 
bees, that the papists borrow their prayers for the dead. 

18 Q. Where was Antiochus the king all this while ? 
Jl. He was gone to Persia, not only to receive his 

tribute, as 1 Mace. iii. 31, but to plunder the temple of 
Diana, (who among the Persians is called Zaretes) which 
temple stood at Elymas, and had incredible riches of 
gold and silver, and golden armour which were laid up 
there. 

19 Q. Did he succeed in this enterprise: 



166 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. i«). 

*fl. The people of the country, having notice <>t" liis 
design, joined together in defence of that idol's temple, 
and beat him oft* with shame. 

20 ((. How did he receive the news of the defeat of 
his generals and armies in Judea I 

J. With the utmost rage and indignation, as w< 
grief of mind ; but he resolved to make !ia>te thit.ier, 
and threatened to make the city of Jerusalem as one 
grave for the Jews, where he would bury the whole na- 
tion. 

21 Q. What followed upon this insolent speech of 
Antiochus the king ? 

A. He was immediately smitten with an incurable 
plague in the midst of his journey, his bowels were Bejzed 
with grievous torment, his chariot was overthrown, and 
he was sorely bruised, and forced to be confined to his 
bed in a little town on the road, where he lay languish- 
ing under foul ulcers of body, and sharp tenor of mind, 
till he died. 

Note. It hath been observed by historians, that such a sort 
of death by fowl \ilcers, hath befallen many persecutor 5 , both in 
former and latter times. 

22 Q. Had he any regret upon his conscience, par- 
ticularly for his cruelty and wickedness practised upon 
the Jews ? 

.i. Both Jews and heathens give us an account of 
the dreadful anguish of mind which he then suffered ; 
and though the heathen historian attributes it to the in- 
tended sacrilege and robbery designed upon the temple 
of Diana, yet the Jewish historians acquaint us, that An- 
tiochus himself imputed his calamities to the horrid im- 
pieties and cruelties that he had been guilty of ag 
the God of Israel and his people, and bitterly repented 
of them with inward horror on his death-bed. 

JVo/e. This Antiochus Epiphanes havim 
sor of the Jewish church, and th<- t \ pe of Antichrist, th< 
larger account of him in Daniel's prophecy than 
prince. The 11th chup. ver. ] 1 — 4... r< lat< s wh< 
well as some passages in the 8th and K'tli 
cation and accomplishment of which may be read in Dr. 1'ri- 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 16f 

deaux's Connection, partii. book iii. And the accomplishment 
is so exact, that Porphyry, a learned heathen in the third cen- 
tury, pretends that it is a mere history, and that it was written 
after the event. 

23 Q. What became of the garrison of the Syrians 
in the tower of Acra, which so much molested the Jews 
in Jerusalem ? 

Jl. Judas Maccabeus besieged them, whereupon An- 
tiochus Eupator, the son and successor of Epiphanes, 
brought a vast army against Judas, consisting of a hun- 
dred thousand foot, twenty thousand horse, thirty-two 
elephants, and three hundred armed chariots of war. 

24 Q. What could the Jews do against so great an 
army ? 

A, Judas having given this watch-word, Victory is 
of the Lord, fell upon them in the night, and having 
slain four thousand immediately, and six hundred the 
next morning, made a safe retreat to Jerusalem. 

25 Q. \Y r hat remarkable instance of courage was 
given by Eleazer, the brother of Judas, in this battle ? 

*5. When he saw one elephant higher and more 
adorned than the rest, he supposed the king himself was 
on it ; therefore he ran furiously through the troops, and 
made his way to the beast, he thrust up his spear under 
his belly, and the beast with the tower that was upon him, 
falling down, crushed him to death. 

26 Q. Had Antiochus Eupator's army any success 
afterward against the Jews ? 

d. They marched to Jerusalem under the command 
of Lysias, they besieged the sanctuary, and when the 
Jews were near surrendering for want of provision, they 
were strangely relieved by the providence of God. 

27 (£. In what manner did this relief come ? 

A. Lysias hearing that the city of Antioch was seized 
. by one Philip, a favourite of the late king, who had taken 
upon him the government of Syria, persuaded the pres- 
ent king to grant peace to the Jews, which he did ; yet 
contrary to his own promise, he pulled down the fortifi- 
•cations of the temple, when he came and saw how strong 
<they were. 



168 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. H>. 

28 Q. What became of Menelaus, the Wicked high 
priest ? 

A. He attended the king's army in this expedition 
against Jerusalem, in hopes to recover his office, and to 
be made governor there : but Lysias, finding this war 
exceeding troublesome, accused Menelaus to the kil 
the author of all this mischief: whereupon he was con- 
demned to a miserable death, being cast headlong into a 
tower of ashes fifty cubits high. 

29 Q. Who was his successor in the the priesthood r 
*#. Onias, the son of Onias the third, and nepi i 

Menelaus, was the more rightful successor, but the king 
rejected him : and being disappointed of it, he fled into 
Egypt; while Alcimus or Jacimus, one of the family of 
Aaron, (though not in the right line of Josedek, to which 
the priesthood belonged) was made high priest by Antio- 
chus Eupator the king. 

Note. It was Joshua the son of Josedech or Jozadek, was 
the rightful high priest at the return from Babylon. See Ezra 
iii. 2, and Hag. i. 1. 

30 Q. Was Alcimus admitted to the exercise of the 
office in Jerusalem ? 

•fl. He was refused by the Jew?, because he had com- 
plied with the heathen superstition in the time of the per- 
secution ; but he besought the aid of Demetrius the new 
king against Judas anil the people, who refused to re- 
ceive him. 

31 Q. How came this Demetrius to be kini:? 

Jl. He was the son of Seleucus Philopater, who was 
the eldest brother of Antiochus Epiphanes ; and though 
he could not persuade the Romans to assist him in 
ing the kingdom of Syria, since Antiochus Epip 
was dead, yet he lanJed in Syria, and persuaded the 
people that the Romans had sent him : whereupon An- 
tiocnus Eupator and Lysias were seized by their own 
soldiers, and put to death by order of Demetrius. 

32 Q. Did Demetrius establish Alcimus in 
priesthood, in opposition to Judas and his people $ 

Jl. He endeavoured to do it by sendii _ 
chides against them, but without success : 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 169 

making Nicanor, who was master of his elephants, gover- 
nor of Judea, he sent him to slay Judas, and to subdue 
the Jews. 

33 ^. What success had Nicanor in this attempt ? 
Ji. Though at first he was unwilling to make war 

on Judas, yet being urged by the king, he pursued it 
with fury ; and having spoken many blasphemous words 
against the temple and the God of Israel, and threatened 
to demolish it, and to build a temple to Bacchus in the 
room of it, he himself was slain, and his army was shame- 
fully routed by Judas. 

34 Q. What encouragement had Judas to hope for 
victory in this battle ? 

Ji. Not only from the blasphemies of Nicanor, but he 
was animated also by a divine vision, and thus he en- 
countered his enemies with cheerfulness, and with earn- 
est prayer to God. 2 Mace, xiv and xv, 

35 Q. What rejoicing did Judas and the Jews make 
on this occasion ? 

A. He cut off' Nicanor's head, and his right hand, 
which he had stretched out against the temple, and hang- 
ed them up upon one of the towers of Jerusalem, and ap- 
pointed a yearly day of thanksgiving in memory of this 
victory, which is called Nicanor's day. 

36 Q. What was the next act of Judas for the good 
of his country ? 

Ji. Hearing of the growing greatness of the Romans, 
he sent to make a league for mutual defence with them ; 
to which the Romans consented, and established it, ac- 
knowledging the Jews as their friends and allies, and or- 
dered Demetrius to vex them no more. 

37 Q. Did Demetrius obey these orders ? 

Ji. Before these orders came to his hand, he had sent 
Bacchides the second time to revenge Nicanor's death, 
and to establish Alcimus in the priesthood. 

38 Q. What success had this second expedition of 
-Bacchides against the Jews ? 

Ji. A very unhappy one indeed fdP the Jews : for he 
so much overpowered Judas with the number of his forc- 
es, who had then but three thousand men with him, and 
36 



170 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

even the greatest part of these three thousanc] Heel from 
him for fear : and Judas being ashamed to 11 y for hi^ life, 
lie was slain through an excess of courage. 

39 Q. What mischiefs ensued on the death of Jo 
A. The Jew* w< i hid< - 

prevailed everywhere, took Jerusalem, subdued 
greatest part of the country, and put to death the friends 
of Judas, where he could find them ; many apostati 
sided with him. Alcimus exercised the liigh priesthood 
in a very wicked manner, and imitated the heathen su- 
perstition in the worship of God. He gave ord 
pull down the wall of the inner court of die sanctuary, 
and is supposed also to break down the wall which di- 
vided the more holy part of the mountain of the temple 
from the less holy, and gave the Gentiles equal liberty 
with the Jews to enter there. 

Xote first. It is said in I Mace. ix. 54, that ho actually pull- 
ed down (lie work of tJie prophets, whatever thai was : But it i- 
thought he only gave order f<>r pulling down th< 
■ner court, which may be Bupposed to be thr court of the priests. 

Note second. His hard to determine how far the wall, 
sfparated the Gentiles from that outer court of the t< 
which was made for the Jews, was of C 
ho'w early it was built. We do not read of it in Scripture . 
neither in the building of the temple of Solomon, when 
was only the court of the priests, and the great court • nor in tin- 
rebuilding it by Zerubbabel does Scripture tell us of such 
aration. Indeed, in Jehoshaphat'fl time, we read offl mir court. 
2 Chron. xx. 5. What it was no man knows certainli 
haps it was only one court renewed. For in M i 
■which was about '200 years after, there wen but 
Chron. xxxii. 5. Dr. Prideaux indeed suj | 
prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, ordered a low wall, <>r ratln r 
inclosure, to be built, called Chel. in the Becond temple, within 
which no uncircumcised person should • rj 
of that opinion i-. 1m cause, 1 Mace. ix. 5-4. ii is Baid, t!,. I 
mus pulled down also thi work of tin 
such a separating Avail in th< 

is generally supposed ; that tiii- c6un of the Gi ntil< - 
Herod's temple, i- aCT< •< d ; 
it iu E : >Jks. ii. 14— marine broken down tin 
tition.- n /.:»/.. \l. 17. But whetl 

argument' are effectual t- prove it was ofdivim 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 171 

the learned reader must judge. See Prideaux's Connection of the 
Old and New Test. Part II. Book IV. Page 261, in 8vo. and 
Lightfoot of the temple, chap. xvii. 

If it be as some have maintained, that the Jews in rebuilding 
that temple under Zertlbbabel, took pattern, in a great measure, 
from the prophetical temple in EzekiePs vision; then there 
seems to have been a court large enough for the court of the 
Gentiles : for chap. xi. 5, and xlii. 20,— There was a wall on 
the outside of the house round dbout, of Jive hundred reeds 
square, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the pro- 
fane place. See Lowth on those texts. Perhaps in these times 
this was called the mount of the temple. 

40 Q. What became of Alcimus when he practised 
these things with insolence ? 

4. He was smitten by the hand of God with a palsy, 
his speech was taken away, so that lie could give no fur- 
ther wicked commands, nor so much as set in order his 
own house, and he died in great torment. 1 Mace. ix. 
54, 55. 

41 Q. Did the surviving brethren of Judas Macca- 
beus make no efforts against these their enemies? 

A, Yes ; his brother Jonathan, being chosen by the 
people, took on him the government ; and though their 
brother John was slain by the Jambrites, yet Simon re- 
mained ; and these two made such a continual resistance, 
that in some years time, Alcimus being dead, Bacchides 
grew weary of the war, and he was inclined at last to 
make a firm peace : and then he restored the Jews 
which had been his prisoners, and departed from Judea 
without ever returning. 

42 ({. What use did Jonathan make of this peace? 

c'L lie governed Israel according to the law ; he re- 
stored the Jewish religion, reformed every thing as far as 
he could, both in church and state, and rebuilt the walls 
and fortifications of Zion. 

43 O. Who performed the office of high priest all this 
time r 

*/?. There was a vacancy of the office for seven years, 
•after the death of Alcimus : till Alexander an impostor, 
pretended to be the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, seized 
the kingdom of Syria, and made high proposals to engage 



\7Z SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI, , 

Jonathan on his side against Demetrius, Who had been 
their enemy. Among these proposal this, — 

That he should be constituted and maintai 
vernor and the high priest of the Jews, and be 

the Icing's friend. 1 .Uace. \. 

AWe. I think Josephus supposes Judas to ba> 
high priest before his death ; but Dr. 1 

him in this matter; nor doth the book of Mai 
give any account of it. Though upon J ring the 

Jewish worship in the temple, there must I 
ficiate as high ; 

into Egypt, whether Judas hiu !l\. or deput- 

ed one of the other priests to do it, is not certain: perh 
das might do the duty. chief family cf th< | 

hood, though he did not assume the title. 

44 Q. Dili Jonathan accept of these prop 

A. There being no other high priest in view, he ac- 
cepted it, by the consent of all the people ; and at the 
feast of tabernacles he put on the holy robe. Being 
dignified, he joined with Alexander, who 
stronger, and slew his rival Demetrius in battle. 

Note here, That fmoi this time forw; rd the I . 
continued in this family of the Asn 
the time of Herod, who changed it from an office of inht ril 
to an arbitrary appointment. — It may be pro] ir I 
that the family whence the Maccal 

neans ; for Mattathias, their fathi r, of John, the 

son of Simon, the son of Asm 

45 Q. But was Jonathan of the eldest family ol 
ion, to whom the priesthood belonged t 

A, Whether trie Maccabees or Asmone; 
the race of Josedek the high priest, is uncertain, 
iii. 2, but it is certain they were of the course of : 
which was of the first class of the sons of Aaron. 1 
Macc.W. 1. 1 Chron. xxiv. 7. And therefore, ou the 
failure of the former family of priests, and none a] 
ing there with a better title, lie had the first right t< 
ceed ; besides that he was chosen to it in a vacancy 
■ ; le people. 

J.''- (I Where, was Onias all this while ? 



Sect. o. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. r, ■ 

d. Having fled into Egypt, he gained such an inte- 
rest in Ptolemy Philometer the king, as to build a Jewish 
temple in Egypt, exactly like that at Jerusalem, adorned 
with the same furniture of vessels and altars for incense 
and sacrifice ; and to have himself and his family estab- 
lished the high priests of it, where they performed the 
same religious service as was done at Jerusalem. 

47 Q. In what part of Egvpt did he build this tem- 
ple ? 

A. In the place where Heliopolis, or the city of the 
sun stood ; and there he built a city also, and called it 
Onian, after his own name. 

48 Q, But how did he persuade the Jews to perform 
such worship at this temple ? 

J. By citing the words of Isaiah, chap. xix. vet. 18, 
19. In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt 
speak the language of Canaan : — In that day there shall 
be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of 
Egypt, $*c. Which is truly to be interpreted concern- 
ing' the future state of the Gospel in that country in 
the days of the Messiah; but Onias applied it to his own 
temple and altar. 

49 Q. How long did this temple continue ? 

Ji. Till after the destruction of the temple at Jeru- 
salem, which was above two hundred years ; and then 
the city Onian, and the temple, were both destroyed by 
the command of Vespasian the emperor of Rome. 

50 Q. Did Jonathan go on to secure the Jews of Ju* 
dea in their possessions and their religion ? 

A. By making leagues with the princes and states 
that favoured him, and by assisting sometimes one and 
sometimes another, as the interest and powers of princes 
were often changing, he defended and governed his own- 
nation. 

51 Q. What became of him at last ? 

•ft. By the treachery of one Tryphon, who sought the 
kingdom of Syria, he was seized, and shut up close pri- 
soner in Ptolemais, 1 Mace. xi. and xii, and afterwards 
was slain with his two sons. chap. xiii. 
16*. 



in SCRIPTURE HIST01 ip. ia, 

52 ({. Who succeeded Jonathan in the high | 

hood and government .- 

./?. Simon his brother, by the request of all the 
pie ? 

53 Q. "What Mere some of the first enterprii 
Simon ? 

Ji. After an honourable burial of his brother at. Mo- 
din, the city of his fathers, and the noble and lofty mon- 
ument, and seven pyramids which lie set up for his pa- 
rents, his four brethren and himself, he fortified tin 
of Judea, made a league with young Derael 
of Demetrius, took the city of Gaza, 
from idols, and built himself a house there. 

54 Q. Did the garrison in the tower of Acra, 
the temple, continue to annoy the Jews in their wo 

Ji. Notwithstanding all the attempts of Juda 
Jonathan, these enemies remained still till the d 
Simon, who shut them up so closely, that aftei 
numbers perished with famine, the res! yielded 
tower to Simon: immediately he cleansed it from it- 
pollutions, and entered into it with harps ami 
and great triumph. 

55 <£. What precautions did Simon tak< 
like annoyance for the time to come S 

Ji. By consent and assistance of the people, he pull- 
ed down the tower, and reduced the mountain itself so 
low, that there might be no possibility of any future an- 
noyance to the worship of the temple from that place. 

56 Q. What further success had Simon in hie 
eminent? 

A. He established Jerusalem and Judea in 
peace and plenty ; he sought out the law, and made it 
to be obeyed ; he beautified the sanctuary, multiplied the 
vessels of the temple, and maintained their ieligion in 
the divine institutions of it. 

57 Q. What peculiar honour was done him by the 
Jews ? 

A. In a general assembly of the priests and elders, 
and the people of the Jews, met together at Jerusalem, 
he was constituted their prince as well as their high 



Sect 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 175 

priest; and these dignities and offices were settled upon 
his posterity forever. This was engraven on tables of 
brass, together with the good deeds of himself and his 
family, which had merited such an honour ; and these 
tables were hung up in the sanctuary. 

58 Q. What regard was paid to him among the 
heathen nations ? 

A. Several princes and people, the Lacedemonians, 
the Romans, and Antiochus, surnamed Sidetes, the son 
of Demetrius, king of Syria, all sought his friendship, 
made leagues ami covenants with him, and conferred on 
him special honours. I Mace. xiv. and xv. 

59 Q. Did Antiochus keep his covenant with Simon ? 
A. By no means ; for when he had vanquished Try- 

phon, his rival, he brake his league with Simon, and in- 
vaded some part of Judea ; but his general, Cendebeus, 
was routed by Simon, and his two eldest sons Judas and 
John, whose surname was Hyrcanus. 

60 Q. What was the fate of Simon at last ? 

J. When Simon was visiting the cities, and giving 
orders for their welfare, one Ptolemeus, who was his son- 
in-law, invited him and his sons to a banquet at Jericho, 
and slew Simon with two of his sons, in order to get the 
government of the country into his own hands ; and sent 
privately to kill John also, 

61 Q. Did Ptolemeus succeed in this his treachery 
and murderous enterprise ? 

Ji. John having got timely notice of it slew the assas- 
sins, and was invested with the high priesthood, and the 
government after his father. 

Note. Here ends that excellent history, the first book of the 
Maccabees. The following part of this account of the Jews is 
borrowed chiefly from Josephus, who usually calls John by the 
surname of Hyrcant^. 



m JSCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( 



Sect. VII. >Of the Jewish Affairs under the ( 

of the Posterity and Successors of Simon the Mac* 

>•(/ h;>c ; and of the several Sects awo\ 

namely, Pharisees, Sadduu . Herodiaus, 

Karaites. 

1 Q. Did John Hyrcanus enjoy hi- offia in pence ? 
Ji. Antiochus Sidetes being informed of the 

of Simon, and being invited by Ptolemeus, invaded Ju- 
dea again, besieged Jerusalem, and reduced Hyrcanus 
and the Jews to the last extremity by famine : but when 
they sued for peace, he granted ir, upon condition of 
paying certain tributes to the king, and demolishing the 
fortifications of Jerusalem. 

Xole. About this time Jesus, the son of Syr 
Jerusalem, coining into Egypt, translated the hook of '■■ 
asticus, written by Jesus his grandfather, out of 
Greek, for the use of the Hellenistic Jews there. The i 
called it Panareton, or the treasury oi all virtue. 

2 Q. How did the affairs of the Jews succeed 
Hyrcanus ? 

Ji. A few years afterwards he took, advantage of the 
vast confusions that ensued among the nations, upon the 
death of Antiochus, to enlarge his borders, by seizing 
neighbouring towns on several sides of Judea, and to re- 
nounce all his dependence upon the kings of Syria. 

3. Q. Was he supported therein by any foreign pow- 
ers? 

A. He renewed the league of friendship which his 
father Simon had made with the Romans, who were then 
growing to their grandeur; and they ordered that lie 
should De freed from the late imposed tribute, and that 
the Syrians should make reparation for the damages they 
had done him. 

4 Q. In what manner did Hyrcanus deal with the 
Edomites, or Idumeans, who were on the south of Ju 

A. He constrained them to embrace the Jewish reli- 
gion, or to leave their country; whereupon they 
to forsake their idolatry, and became proselytes to Juda- 



Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 177 

ism, and were mingled and incorporated with the Jews ; 
and, by this means, in less than two hundred years, their 
very name was lost. 

Note. In defence of this practice of Hyrcanus, among the 
Idumeans, which seems to be so contrary to the laws of nature 
and Scripture, it may be said, that at this time these Edomites 
had encroached on the land of Judea, and inhabited all the 
south part of it : so that Hyrcanus, in banishing those who 
would not become Jews, did but dispossess them of that coun- 
try which was given to the Jews by God himself. Yet it must 
be confessed, by this practice he seems to hare set an unhappy 
pattern to his successors, to impose the religion of the Jews on 
conquered countries by force. 

5 Q. How did he treat the Samaritans on the north,, 
when his power was thus increased ? 

A. He marched with his army and took Shechem, 
which Mas then the chief seat ot" the Samaritan sect ; 
and he destroyed their temple on Mount Gerrizim, which 
Sanballat had built ; though they continued still to keep 
an altar there, and to offer sacrifices. 

6 ^. How came Shechem to be their chief seat, in- 
stead of Samaria ? 

J?. They were expelled from Samaria by Alexander, 
for killing one of his deputy governors in a tumult; 
and they retiring to Shechem, made that their chief seat; 
while Alexander repeopled Samaria with heathens of the 
Syrian and Macedonian race. 

7 Q. Did Hyrcanus extend his power farther on that 
side of the country ? 

d. He besieged Samaria and took it, and utterly de- 
molished it ; he not only ruled in Judea, but in Galilee 
also, and the neighbouring towns : he became one of the 
most considerable princes of his age, and preserved the 
Jewish church and state in safety from their enemies, 
throughout a long government. 

8 ^. What other remarkable actions, are ascribed to 
Hyrcanus ? 

•#. He was esteemed a prophet for one or two nota- 
ble predictions, or knowledge of things done at a dis- 
tance. He built the castle Baris, on a steep rock, fifty 
cubits high, without the outer square of the temple, but 



Ira scRinvm: history, ci; 

on the same mountain: tins was the palace dI 
nean princes in Jerusalem, and here the sacred rob 
the high priest wore always laid up when (;.<■; 
in use. 

9 Q. What use was afterwards made of this c - 
Ji. Herod new built it and made it a very strong 
fortress, to command both the city and the temple ; and 
called it Antonia, in honour oi* his great friend Mark 
Antony of Home : he raised it .so hig , 
what was done in the temple, and send hi 
case of any tumult. Here the Romans kept a 
garrison, and the governor of it was called captain of 
the temple, dcis xxi. 31. 

Note. It was from lhi« place the sentinel spying tl 
ready to kill Faul, gave noiirc to the gov< rnor • 
who went down immediately with some soldiers into (J • 
of the Gentiles, whither they had draggt d St. Paul, t<> kill him, 
and rescued him, and brought him up the -t;>ir- ii 
and it was upon these stairs that Paul obtained li 
to the people. Acts xxi. 26, ..Vc-. 

10 Q. What troubles did Hyrcanus mi 
ward the end of his life? 

Iff. His title to the high priesthood was unjustly call- 
ed in question by a bold man among the Pharisees ; and, 
being craftily imposed upon to think it the opinion of 
all that party, he hastily renounced that sect, for which 
he had before the greatest value, he abolished their con- 
stitutions, and falling in with the sect of th< 
lost his esteem and love among the commoi 

11 Q. Since you mention the sect of the 
here, pray let us know what were the chief - 
the Je\ 

J. About this lime, the most considerable 
the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes : 
in the next century arose also the Herodians : and 
hundreds <>f years after was a sect called the k.;, 

12 ({. What peculiar opinions were held !>■ 
Pharisee* ? 

A. The most distinguishing character oi 
was their zeal for the traditions of the elders; fo 



Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 179 

they acknowledged the writings of Moses and the pro- 
phets to be divine, they pretended that these traditions 
also were delivered to* Moses on Mount Sinai; and con- 
veyed down without writing, through the several genera- 
tions of the Jews, from father to son : and by reason of 
their pretences to a more strict and rigorous observance 
of the law, according to their traditions, which they su- 
peradded to it, they looked on themselves as more holy 
than other men, and they were called Pharisees, that 
is, persons separate from others. 

Note. These were the persons who had so much corrupted 
the law in our Saviour's time, and made it void by their tradi- 
tions : yet their doctrine generally prevailed among the scribes 
and the lawyers, who were writers and explainers of the law ; 
and the bulk of the common people had them in high esteem 
and veneration, so that they were the most numerous of any 
sect. 

13 Q. Is the sect of the Pharisees still in being ? 

Jl. The present religion of the Jews, in their several 
dispersions (except among the few Karaites) is wholly 
formed and practised according to the traditions of the 
Pharisees, rather than according to the law and prophets : 
so that they have corrupted the old Jewish religion in 
the same manner that the papists have the Christian. 

14 Q. What were the opinions of the Sadducees ? 
Jl. The Sadducees at first are supposed by Dr. Pri- 

deaux to be no more than the Zadikim, who only stuck 
to the written word of God, renouncing all other tra- 
ditions ; and that probably they went no farther than 
this in the days of Hyrcanus ; though the talmudical 
writers derive their name, and their dangerous doctrines, 
more early, from one Zadok, as is before related. But 
it is certain that afterward the Sadducees denied the 
resurrection of the dead, and the very being of angels or 
spirits, or souls of men departed, and any existence in a 
future state : they supposed God to be the only spirit, 
and that he rewarded and punished mankind in this 
world only, and there was nothing to be hoped or feared 
after death ; which principles render this sect an impious 
- party of men. 



SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. I ' 

15 Q. "What did they profess ;is the rule of their 
religion ? 

Jl. They not only rejected all written traditions, but 
nil the written word of God, except the five books of 
Moses; for the doctrine of a future state i> not >o evi- 
dently taught therein : and therefore Christ argues Dot 
with them out of the Psalms and prophets, but only out 
of the law of Moses, when he proves a future state «'! 
resurrection from God's being the Gud of Jlbrahavi. 
Isaac, and Jacob. Luke xx. 37. 

16 Q, How long did this sect of the Sadducet - 
tinue r 

Jl. Though all the common people had the chief ven- 
eration for the Pharisees, yet most of the richest and the 
greatest among them fell into the opinions of the Saddu- 
cees for several generations, but they were all tut off ill 
the destruction of Jerusalem; nor do we find any men- 
tion of them as a sect for many ages after, till their 
name was revived and applied to the Karaites by way 
of reproach. 

17 Q. Who were these Karaites? 

Jl. A much better sect among the Jews, who ii 
sixth century after Christ, began to be so much offended 
with the incredible stories and fooleries of the Talmud, 
which was then published, and with the strange mystu al 
senses which some of the Jews put on tin- Scriptures, 
that they confined themselves only to the written word 
of the Scripture, which in the Babylonish langi 
called Kara ; and for the most part, thev content mem- 
selves with the literal sense of it. They are sometimes, 
but very unjustly, called Sadducees, by the rabbinical or 
talmudical Jews. 

18 Q. Where are these Karaites to be found ? 

Jl. Very few of them dwell in these western parts ol 
the world. They are found chiefly in Poland, and B 
the Crim Tartars ; a tew also in Egypt and Persi 
they are counted men of the best learning, and gn 
probity and virtue among the Jev\>; and it i> remarkable 
among them, that tiny perform their public worship in 
the language of the country where they dwell. 



Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 181 

19 Q. What were the Essenes 2 - 

Jl. They seem to have been originally of the same 
sect as the ^Pharisees ; but they set up for a more morti- 
fied way of living, and perhaps more unblameable. They 
so far agreed with the Sadducees, as to acknowledge or 
expect no resurrection of the body ; but they believed a 
future state of eternal happiness or misery ; according 
lo their behaviour in this life. They seem to have been 
distributed into societies or fraternities, and to have had 
no private possessions, but a common stock for the supply 
of all. They were in a special manner religious toward 
God, both on the sabbath, and in their daily devotions ; 
and exceeding friendly and benevolent toward men. 
They did not disclaim marriage; but they entered into # 
that state more rarely, and with great caution : and in- 
stead of children of their own, they bred up poor chil- ' 
dren in their own sect. They were very abstemious as 
to their food, and their habit was a plain white garment. 
Their rules of life are reported to us more at large by 
Josephus and by Philo, two Jews ; they are also describ- 
ed by Pliny, a heathen, and by some of the Christian 
fathers. 

20 Q. If they were a considerable sect in the days 
of our Saviour, how came it to pass that they are not 
mentioned in the New Testament ? 

d. Some have supposed that they seldom came into 
cities, but living so very plain and abstemious a life, they 
resided for the most part in the country ; and thus they 
fell not under our Saviour's observation. And besides, 
they being a very honest and sincere sort of people, they 
gave no such reason for reproof and censure, as others 
very justly deserved. Though it must be confessed also, 
that their disbelief of the resurrection of the body, their 
non-attendance on the temple-worship, their traditional 
washings, and self-invented purifications, their rigorous 
and needless abstinences from some sorts of meats, and 
other like superstitious customs and will-worship might 
have given our Saviour just occasion for reproof had 
they come in his way ; and perhaps they are censured 



182 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 1& 

under the general name of Pharisees, in those supersti- 
tious traditions wherein they both agreed. 
21 Q. Now we are speaking of ihe several sects of 

the Jews, let u> know also what were the Herodigi 

A. This sect arose not till the time of Herod the 
great, king of Judea : and it is plain they had 
liar evil tenets a> well as the other &e< ts, since our Sa- 
viour warned his disciples against the leaven of the Phari- 
sees and of Herod. Indeed they opposed the Phai 
and very justly, in one point ; for the Pharisees - 
thought 'it lawful to pay taxes directly to heathens, though 
they acquired the sovereign power, and particularly to 
Csesar, in that day : but their special error, which Christ 
calls their leaven, seems to be this ; that it was lawful, 
when constrained by superiors, to comply with idolatry, 
and with a false religion. Herod seems to have framed 
this sect on purpose to justify himself in this prat 
who being an Idumean by nation, was indeed halt . 
and half a heathen; and affected a conformity to the 
Gentiles in some things, to please the Romans, who made 
him king, while at the same time he professed Ju< 

Note. The Sadducees generally came into thw i 
opinion: and the same persons which art- called Hendiaru in 
Markvm. 15, are called Sadducrrs in Matt. x\i. o'. Hut this 
^ect died in a little time, for we hear no more of I 
<iays of our Saviour. 

L 2-2 Q. Having done with the several sects of tin- 
Jews, let us return now and inquire who suc< 
Ilyrcanus at his death r 

A. Aristobulus, his eldest son, took the office i 
high priest, and governor of the country : and I 
the first, since the captivity of Babylon, who pat a. dia- 
dem upon his head, and assumed the title of kinu r . 
23 (^. Whal is recorded of him? 
J. lie put Iris own toother to death, 
made some pretence to the government ; lie sent all Im 
brothers, save one, to prison: then he atia<k»d in 
dued the Itureans, who lived on the nortl 
land of Galilee, and forced them to he circumcised and 
receive the Jewish religion. At last 






Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 183 

to put his favourite brother to death, upon an unjust sus- 
picion ; and then he died himself, vomiting blood, and 
in great horror, for his crimes. 

i?4 Q. Who succeeded him ? 

J. His next brother, Alexander, surnamed Jannaeus, 
took the kingdom, who also put another of the brothers 
to death, because of some attempt to supplant him. 

25 Q What success had Alexander in his govern* 
ment ? 

A. He having settled his affairs at home, attacked 
some of his neighbours, and dealt very deceitfully with 
Ytolemy Lathyrus, the heir to the crown of Egypt, who 
came to their assistance : whereupon there ensued a 
bloody battle between them, near the river Jordan in 
Galilee, wherein Alexander's army was utterly defeated, 
and he lost thirty thousand men. 

Note. There is a very cruel and barbarous action attributed 
to Lathyrus on this occasion, namely, that coming with his ar- 
my, in the evening after the victory, to take up his quarters in 
the adjoining villages, and finding them full of women and chil- 
dren, he caused them to be all slaughtered, and their bodies to 
be cut in pieces, and put into cauldrons over the fire to be boil- 
ed, as if it Mere for supper ; that so he might leave an opinion 
in that country, that his men fed upon human flesh, and thereby 
might create the greater dread and terror of his army through 
all those parts. After this, Lathyrus ranged at liberty all over 
the country, ravaging, plundering and destroying it in a very 
lamentable manner: for Alexander, after this battle, was in no 
condition to resist him. 

26 Q. Did Alexander ever recover this defeat ? 

A. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, who, with her young- 
est son, withheld the kingdom from Lathyrus her eldest, 
did assist and support Alexander Jannreus, lest, if Lathy- 
rus should have become master of Judea, he might also 
have recovered Egypt out of her hands ; whereupon 
Alexander raised his head again, besieged other places, 
and took Gadara and Amathus toward Galilee, together 
with much treasure ; but he was surprised by Theodoras, 
prince of Philadelphia, who had laid up that treasure 
there, and was overthrown with the slaughter of ten 
thousand men. Yet, being a man of courage and dili-^ 



•184 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI 

"jence, again lie recruited his army, took the city of ( 
from the Philistines, and save thorough license to hi> 
soldiers there to kill, plunder, and destroj a> tl it- v phas- 
ed. He subdued their principal cities, and nade them 
part of his dominions; whereupon several of the Philis- 
tines turned Jews: and indeed it was now grown a cms- 
torn among the Asmoncan princes, to impose their reli- 
gion upon all their conquests, leaving them no other 
choice but to become proselytes, or to be banished. 

27 ({. How did his own people, the Jews, carry i' 
towards him r 

Ji. The Pharisees continued their wrath against him* 
for rigorously maintaining the decrees of his lather, who 
abolished their constitutions; and by their powerful in- 
fluence, they stirred up the people against him so far, that 
while he was executing the nigh priest's oftice at tin- 
altar, they pelted him with citrons, and called him re- 
proachful names. 

28 Q. In what manner did Alexander resent it? 

A. He slew ;-ix thousand of them immediately, and 
fie cho«e his own guards out of the heathen q 
daring afterwards to trust himself with tl,. 
last mere broke out a civil war between him :. 
people, which lasted six years, brought -rear calan 
both, and occasioned the death of above fifty thousand 
people. 

20 Q. How was this war carried on ? 

J. Though Alexander gained many >: 
them, vet being wearied out, he desir i d offer- 

ed to grant them whatsoever they coulu re 
-ire r but upon his inquiry what terms v. 
them, they answered with one voice, that //«' slajult! cut 
Lis own throat ; so dreadful was their enmity < 
him; and upon this answer, the war was -till* pursued 
with fury on both Bides. 

SO ({' How was this war ended at 

J. Alexander Jannseus, the ki:.u r . havii 

battle, resumed his courasc, and aftei \ 

another, which concluded the war: for having 



Sect 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 185 

city of Bethome, and besieged them there : and having 
taken the place, he carried eight hundred of them to Je- 
rusalem, and there caused them to be all crucified in 
one day ; and their wives and children to be slain before 
their faces, while they hung dying on their crosses. In 
the mean time he treated his wives and concubines with 
this bloody spectacle at a feast. This terrified the Jews 
indeed so effectually, that they made no more insurrec- 
tions against him : though he got a most infamous name 
by it, in that and the following ages. A dreadful in 
stance of the barbarity of a high priest with civil power ! 

31 Q. Did this cruel tyrant come to a natural death ? 
*'l. The providence oV God, which does not always 

punish sinners in this life, permitted him to die in the 
camp of a quartan ague, which had hung long upon him, 
while he was besieging a castle of the Gerasenes beyond 
Jordan. And though he left two sons behind him, yet 
he bequeathed the government to Alexandra his wife, 
during her life ; and to be disposed of at her death to 
which of her sons she pleased. 

32 Q. How did this woman reconcile herself to the 
Jews, so as to permit her to reign over them r 

A. By her husband's advice upon his death-bed, she 
concealed his death till the castle was taken ; then lead- 
ing back the army to Jerusalem in triumph, made her 
court to the Pharisees, resigned up his dead corpse to 
their pleasure, to be abused or buried, as they should 
think fit, and promised to follow their advice in all the 
affairs of government : for he had assured her, that they 
were the best of friends and the worst of enemies ; and 
that if she would bat be ruled by them, they would make 
her rule over others. 

33 Q. What success had this conduct of Alexandra? 

$. All the success she desired : the people were in- 
fluenced by the Pharisees to give the corpse of her hus- 
band an honourable funeral, she herself was settled in 
the government of the nation, and she made her eldest 
son Hyrcanus high priest. 

34 ^. How did she administer the government under 
the direction of the Pharisees P 

.17* 



186 . SCRIPT! RE IIIM'ORV. ( hap. 

Ji. She immediately revoked the decree <>l John 
Ilyrcanus, whereby lie had abolished their trad. 
constitutions; by which means the Pharisees, and their 
traditions, grew into greater esteem and power thai ever 
and she permitted them to put to death many of those 
who advised the late king Alexander to ileal BO cruelly 
with the people ; and some others of their own adi 
ries also were executed on this pretence* by her I 
for she dreaded a new civil war, and of two evil 
thought to choose the least. 

35 Q. To whom did she leave the kingdom at her 
death ? 

Jl. To Hyrcanus her eldest son, who had been en- 
tirely bred up under the influence and tut 
Pharisees. 

36 Q. Did this Hyrcanus the second continue to 
reign in peace ? 

Jl. Aristobulus, the younger son, finding tin 
army and the people were weary of die oppressive ad- 
ministration of the Pharisees, raised an army against hi- 
brother Hyrcanus, put him to llight, forced him t<> 
the kingdom and the high priesthood, and to live a pi ivate 
life ; which he consented to, after he had been king three 
months; for he naturally loved hi> own ease and quiel 
more than any thing else. 

37 Q. Was Aristobulus disturbed in his government I 
Jl. There was one Antipater, an Idumean, (whose 

father was advanced to the government of Idumea by tie- 
late king Alexander) and he htmself-being bred up with 
Ilyrcanus, in the court of Alexandra, prevailed upon 
Hyrcanus to accept of the assistance <»l Aretas, thi 
bian king, to restore him to the kingdom : for he assured 
him that his life was in ->«> great danger from his I 
Aristobulus, that he could save it no other way bin 
by dethroning him. 

38 Q. What succe-s had Hyrcanus in following this 
counsel of Antipater r 

Jl. By the help of Aretas he gained an absolute \ ic- 
tory over Aristobulus, d rove him into the mminmin ol 
the temple, and there besieged him ; where the i 



Sect. r. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 187 

stood by Aristobulus, while the people declared for Hyr- 
canus. 

39 Q. What heinous murder were the people guilty 
of at this time ? 

Jl. There was one Onias at Jerusalem, so holy a man 
that he was thought by his prayers to have obtained rain 
from heaven in a great drought: and the people conclud- 
ing that his curses would be as powerful as his prayers, 
pressed him to curse Aristobulus, and all that were with 
him. The good man finding no rest from their impor- 
tunities, lift up his hands toward heaven and prayed 
thus : O Lord God, Rector of the universe, since those 
that are with us are thy people, and they that are be- 
sieged in the temple are thy priests, I pray that thou 
wouldsi hear the prayers of neither of them against the 
other. Hereupon the multitude were so enraged, that 
they stoned him to death. 

40 Q. Did Hyrcanus's party prosper after this mur- 
der? 

A. Hyrcanus and his people fell under great disap- 
pointments at first ; for the Romans spreading their em- 
pire far at this time, and being largely bribed by Aristo- 
bulus, they forced Aretas to raise the siege ; whereupon 
Aristobulus pursued and routed him in battle, and slew 
multitudes of Hyrcanus's party. 

41 Q. In what manner was this contest carried on 
afterwards ? 

jf. The two brothers Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, first 
by their ambassadors, and afterwards in person, pleaded 
their cause before Pompey, the general of the Romans 5 
who was now at Damascus: while ? at the same time* 
the people declared against both: for they pretended 
they were not to be governed by kings, but by the priests 
©f God. 

42 Q. How was the controversy decided ? 

A. Pompey not giving a speedy determination, and 
Aristobulus suspecting the event, he retired and prepar- 
ed for war : whereupon Pompey seized Aristobulus in 
one of his castles, and confined him to prison, and laid 
siege to Jerusalem ; and being received into the city by 



IBS S( RIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

Jlyrcanus's party, besieged also the temple and the 

Baris, and took it in three month-, time 

43 ((. How came the Roman.-, to take so strong h 
place so soon ? 

*S. Though the Jews bad learnt from the beginning 
of the Maccabean wars, to defend themselv< 
tacked on the sabbath : yet being not actually assaulted, 
they permitted the Romans to build up their works 
engines on the sabbath, without disturbing th 
by the tower or castle, and with it the temple, 
taken. 

44 <^. On what day was the temple taken ? 
J. On the very day which the Jews kept 

fast, for the taking of Jerusalem and the temple bj 
buchadnezzar : and it is remarkable, that the pries! 
were at the altar continued their devotions, and their 
rites of worship, till they perished by the hand- i 
enemy. 

45 Q. What blood and plunder ensned in the tem- 
ple r 

A. Twelve thousand Jews were slain on 
sion, partly by Pompey's army, and partly by their own 
brethren, of the party of Hyrcanus. But when Pomptej 
entered the sanctuary, he forbore to touch any i 
sacred vessels thereof, or the two thousand talents which 
were laid up there for sacred uses ; he ordered the 
temple to be cleansed, and sacrifices to be offered there 
according to their own laws. 

Note. Though Pompey was so moderate in hit 
in a little time after, Crassus, another li 
march through the country, seized and t 

thousand talents, and tin- golden vessels of the t- mple, and rich 
hangufrgi of inestimable worth. But the v< 
teemed to follow him : his counsels in his wars from tJ. 
forward, were under perpetual disappointru< n\ ; he was slain ;•» 
a war with the L*;t rtlii.i ri- : his hi ad n 
was poured down hi- I > of insult over 

covetousi 

46 Q. "What was the final effect of this victory of 
the Romans r 



Sect. T. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 289 

Ji. Pompey demolished the walls of Jerusalem, put 
to deatli some of the chief supporters of Aristobulus, re- 
stored Hjrcanus to the high priesthood, and made him 
also governor, but under tribute to the Romans, and re- 
duced his dominions to narrower bounds : then he car- 
ried Aristobulus, with his children, prisoners to Rome ; 
except his eldest son, who escaped. 

JVb/e. From this quarrel between Hyrcanus the second and 
Aristobulus, the ruin of Judea and Jerusalem must be dated ; 
the final loss of the liberty of the Jews, and the translation of 
the sovereign authority to the Romans ; which hud till then de- 
scended with the priesthood, and been possessed by the Jews, 
though often under some tribute to heathen princes. 

47 Q. Did Aristobulus or his sons ever attempt the 
recovery of their power and government ? 

J. Being escaped from prison they made several 
vigorous attempts, but without success. 

48 Q. What changes did Jerusalem pass undei 
through these times ? 

d. Gabinius, a Roman general, marching through Ju- 
dea, in a little time made a great change in the govern- 
ment, lessened the power of Hyrcanus yet further, alter- 
ed the constitution of the Sanhedrim or Jewish senate : 
but all was restored again shortly after by Julius Csesar: 
for, at Hyrcanus's request, lie gave him leave to rebuild 
the walls of Jerusalem, and by a decree from the senate 
of Rome, the ancient friendship with the Jews was re- 
newed. 

49 ^. Where was Antipater all this while, who had 
excited Hyrcanus to recover the government of Judea ? 

Jl. He did many services for Usesar in his wars in 
the neighbouring countries; whereupon he was made 
his lieutenant in Judea, under Hyrcanus, who was con- 
firmed by Csesar in the government and high priesthood : 
and, at the same time, Antipater procured Phasael, his 
eldest son, to be made governor of the city of Jerusalem ; 
and Herod, his second son, governor of Judea. 

Note. This Herod grew up to high power afterward ; he was 
called Herod the great, and was king of Judea when our Sa- 
viour was. born. 



190 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

50 Q. What became <>f Antiniter at Uu 

•ft. He was poisoned by one VMirhus, a rival, 
envied his greatness and power in ludea: but his death 
was revenged by his Bon Herod, who was permitted by 
the Roman general to procure Malichus to be murdered. 

51 Q. What further troubles did the 
with about this time ? 

A. Some pari or other of their nation were continu- 
ally subject to plunders, sometimes from the Roman 
generals for not paying the tribute demanded, or on 
other pretences ; sometimes by the Parthians, 
ed Antigonus, son of the late king Aristobulus, to i 
Jerusalem and Judea, in opposition to the united forces 
of Phasael, and Herod, and Hyrcanus. 

5£ Q. Did Antigonus ever recover iinent? 

J. The Parthian general, Pacorus I war 

with the Romans, did by mere treachery get into his 
custody both Hyrcanus and Phasael, seized Jen 
and rifled it, made Antigonus governor of Judea, and 
delivered up Hyrcanus and Phasael to him in chains ; 
but Herod made his escape. 

53 Q. What became of Phasael and Ilyiv 

JSt. Phasael beat out his own brains in prison; Hyr- 
canus's ears were cut oflT, that being maimed he mig 
no longer a high priest, Lev. xxi. 17, and he u;*.~ 
afar oil" among the Parthians, that he might raise no dis- 
turbances against Antigonus. 

54 q. Whither did Elerod take his flight ? 
A. After a little time he went to Rome 

all these transactions, and he made his complaint- with 
great and unexpected success; for Julius Ctesar being 
slain in the Roman senate, Mark Antony and 0< 
(who was afterwards Augustus Cfesar) governed all 
things there, and they agreed to make Herod king 
dea, with the consent of the senate, hoping it wot 
lor their interest in the Parthian war. 



Sect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 191 



Sect. VIII. Of the Government of JTerod the Great, 
and his Posterity, over the Jews. 

1 Q. What did Herod do on his receiving this new 
dignity ? 

Ji. He returned to Judea, first relieved his mother, 
who was put in prison by Antigonus ; he made himself 
master of Galilee; he cfestroyed some large bands of 
robbers which infested the country thereabout, shelter- 
ing themselves in mountains, and the caves of steep and 
craggy rocks. 

2 Q. What artifice did he use in order to attack 
them r 

Ji. By reason of their dwelling in such hollow caves 
in precipices, there was no scaling them from below ; 
and therefore to ferret them out of their dens, he made 
large open chests, and filled them with soldiers, which 
he let down into the entrances of those caves by chains 
from engines which he had fixed above, and thus he de- 
stroyed great numbers of them. 

JVote. This country was often annoyed with the remains of 
these plunderers in the reign of Herod : but he treated them 
without merc} r , and all the country that sheltered them with 
great rigour, till he restored peace to Galilee. 

3 §. "Where was his next march ? 

Ji. Into Judea against Antigonus, and after several 
battles, with various success on both sides, at last, by the 
assistance of the Roman legions, besieged Antigonus in 
Jerusalem. 

4 Q. Did not Herod himself attend this siege? 

A. Yes ; but while the preparations were making for 
it he went to Samaria, and there he married Mariamne, 
a lady of the family of the Maccabees, or Asmoneans, 
the grand-daughter of Hyrcanus the second, a woman 
of great beauty and virtue, and admirable qualifications, 
tipping the Jews would more readily receive him for 
-their king by this alliance ; and having done this, he re- 
lumed to the siege. 



192 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chtjw 19t 

5 Q. Did he carry this plac«* at lai 

•/?. He took Jerusalem by Btorm, alter >ix monthf 
hard and bloody Bervfce in flic siege, at which the Ro- 
mans being enraged, ravaged the city with blood and 
plunder, notwithstanding afi that Herod could do I 
vent it; and having taken king Antigonus there, and 
sent him to Antioch, Herod persuaded Mark Antony, 
by a large bribe, to put him to death. 

JVb/c. Here ended the reign of the Asmoneai 
bees, after that race had held the government one huiidn 
twenty year?. During great p;>rt »f this time, ac u » !l at 
the various changes of these Jewish governors, or the int. rni| - 
tion by heathen conquerors, filled the country of .hid* -a with in- 
numerable calamities and desolations, of which Jerusalem itself 
had a very large share, nor did they c< ase in the following 

G Q. How did Herod begin his reign ? 

Jl. As he was forced to make his way to the king- 
dom through much blood, so he established himself bj 
the same means, putting to death several of the parti /.an* 
of Antigonus, and among them all the counsellors of the 
great Sanhedrim, except Pollio, who is called Ilillel, and 
Sameas, who is called Shammai ; for both of them had 
encouraged the city to receive Herod : though it v. a* 
not out of love to him, but merely on this view, that it 
was in vain to resist him. 

Note. This Hillel and Shammai v. < r 
eminent teachers aiming the doct< 
schools. 

7 Q. "Who was made high priest after the death of 
Antigonus, who was both priest ami king? 

Jl. At first Herod made one Ananelua or s ' 
high priest, who was an obscun 

Aaron, educated among the Jews afar off in Babylonia, 
and therefore not so likely to oppose m.\ of Herod's de- 
signs in Judea. 

8 ({. Did Ananelus continue in tl • 
Jl. Hood's beloved wife, Mariamne, and her iu 
being of the nice of the Maccabees, 
him to make Aristobulus, Mariamnc's brother, a 



Sect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 195 

seventeen years old, high priest in Ananelus's room, to 
whom indeed it rather belonged as an heir male of that 
family: this he at last complied with against his will; 
but in a very little time he procured him to be drowned 
under pretence of bathing. 

9 Q. What became of Hyrcanus all this while ? 

Jl. Though he had been banished for so many years 
among the Parthians and Babylonians, yet he' returned 
to Jerusalc m upon the advancement of Herod, presuming 
that the marriage of his grand-daughter, and his own 
former merits towards him, would secure to himself a 
peaceful old age in his own country under Herod's pro- 
tection. 

10 Q. How did Herod deal with him ? 

Jl. He received him at first with all respect, but 
some time after found a pretence to put him to dearth, 
when he was above eighty years of age, lest one time or 
other, being of the family of the Maccabees or Asmo- 
neans, he should be restored to the kingdom. 

1 1 (£• Besides all these confusions, what other ca- 
lamity happened to the Jews about this time ? 

A. A terrible earthquake ran through the whole land 
of Judea, and buried thirty thousand of the inhabitants 
in the ruin of their houses, in the seventh year of Herod's 
reign ; a grievous pestilence followed it in a little time, 
and a desolating famine a very few years after, at which 
time Herod was very liberal to the people, but he could 
not gain their hearty affection. 

12 q. Did Herod maintain his government, when his 
great friend Mark Antony was ruined, and vanquished 
by Octavius ? 

A. He took care to make early submission to Octa- 
vius ; he laid aside his diadem when he waited on him, 
and with open heart he confessed his former friendship 
for Antony, but he now assured Octavius of the same 
faithful friendship and obedience, if he might be trusted : 
upon which, Octavius, who now assumed the name of 
Augustus Csesar, bid him resume his diadem, confirmed 
him m the kingdom, and was his friend and protector 
?ven to his death. 
18 



1-94 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

13 Q. Did he then continue to reign in perfect 
peace I * 

A. Domestic troubles broke the peace of his mind, 
and threw him into violent grief and rage, which further 
soured his temper for all his life after. 

14 Q, What were those domestic troubles ? 

JL He was jealous lest any man should possess so 
great a beauty as Mariamne ms queen after his death, 
and lest any remains of the family of the Asmoneans 
should hinder the succession of his own family to the 
kingdom of Judea ; and for these reasons he gave private 
orders, that in case he died, both his wife and her mother 
should be put to death : which dreadful secret being 
communicated to his queen, she resented it to such a 
degree-, that she would never afterwards receive him; 
but notwithstanding all Ins kind addresses and importu- 
nities, she perpetually followed him with sharp re- 
proaches for the murder of her relations, by which he 
secured the crown to himself, and upbraided his mother 
and sister with the meanness of their parentage. So that 
between his excess of love and rage and jealousy, he 
was so tormented, and so wrought upon by the artifices 
of his mother and sister Salome, that at la**t he put his 
beloved Mariamne to death, under a pretence of an at- 
tempt to poison him, and he executed her mother too a 
little after the daughter, for a real plot against his life. 

15 Q. Did the death of Mariamne relieve him from 
this tumult of passion P 

A. By no means ; for now his love returned with 
violence, and his grief and vexation joined with other 
passions to render him a most miserable wretch, a tor- 
ment to himself, and outrageous to all about him. 

16 Q. What course of life did he follow afterward? 

A. He grew more arbitrary and cruel in his govern- 
ment? he put what persons'he pleased into the hfch 
priesthood, and turned them out again at pleasun 
made several innovations in the law-, < ustoros, and re- 
ligion of the Jews ; and introduced epex tai 1. 

lers, of combats between wild beasts and criminal- 
ia conformity to the heathens; pretending it a 



Sect. g. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 1S5 

necessary to please Csesar : and thus set the hearts of 
the Jews much more against him, who were 1 very jealous 
of their religion and customs. Then, thinking it needful 
for his defence, as well as for his grandeur and glory, he 
built several strong places and towers within and with- 
out Jerusalem; he raised temples in several cities, and 
dedicated them to Caesar, who was his great friend; 
and though sometimes he remitted part of the taxes, and 
did several beneficent actions to ingratiate himself with 
the people, it was all in vain ; he could not obtain their 
love. 

17 Q. What was his greatest and most considerable 
attempt to r please the people, and to perpetuate his own 
name ? 

Ji. He proposes to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem : 
for it having now stood near five hundred years, and be- 
ing so often injured, broken and repaired, he persuaded 
the people that a new one should be built with much 
more magnificence and glory. 

18 ^. But could he persuade the Jews to consent 
that their temple should be demolished, in order to re- 
build it? 

Ji. Not till he had assured them that the old temple 
should remain untouched till all materials were ready to 
build the new one ; which he actually provided at vast 
expense and labour in two years time, by employing ten 
thousand artificers for the work, a thousand wagons for 
carriage, and a thousand priests for direction. 

19 Q. Did he fulfil his promise in building this new 
temple ? 

Ji. Yes 5 he performed the work with prodigious cost 
and splendour, as it is described by Josephus: it was. 
built of large stones, each twenty- five cubits long, twelve 
cubits broad, and eight in thickness, which the disciples 
desired our Saviour to take notice of with wonder. 
Mark xiii. 1, 2. The sanctuary, that is, the holy place, 
and the most holy, which were more properly called the 
temple, were finished in a year and a half, so that divine 
worship was performed there ; and in eight years more 



196 SCRIPTURE HISTOftY. Chap. 19. 

he completed the several walls, and galleries, and pillars, 
and courts* according to hi-* design. 

20 Q. How could it be said then, Joint n. 
and six years was the temple in building r 

JH, It was begun near forty-six years before 
pass-over, when our Saviour, being near thirty-one 
old, was present at Jerusalem ; and though the E 
design and plan was executed in nine years and a half, 
vet Herod and his successors were always building out- 
works round it, or adding new ornaments to it, ei 
that very day when Christ was there and long afterward. 

21 ({. When was it dedicated ~ 

Jl. The same year when it was finished, and on the 
anniversary-day of Herod's accession to the crown, and 
on this account it was celebrated with a vast number of 
sacrifices and universal rejoicing. 

Xotc. Within four yean after this d< dii < iirist 

nir Saviour was born, and was presented there an infant, ac- 
cording to the law. 

22 Q. Was not this then the third temple of the J 

Jl. , No; it was called the second temple still, be 
though it was built anew from the foundations, yet i r 
was only by way of reparation, it not having been 
and demolished with a ruinous design, nor did it lie in 
ashes and desolation, as it did when Nebuchadne/.zar 
destroyed it. 

23 ({. Did Herod do any thing after this in favour 
of the Jews r 

A* When the Jews who were scattered throughout 
Greece and Asia Minor grew very numerous, and wen- 
much disturbed and oppressed by the other inhabi 
Herod procured for them a new establishment of their 
liberties and privileges, and permission i»> live in other 
countries, according to their own laws and religion, 
which had been granted them before by the k'u, 
Syria and by the lloinaiiK 

24 ((. What further troubles did Herod mee' 
in his family? 

A. His two eldest sons by Mariamne, namelyi Iris- 
tobulus and Alexander, whom he had sent to K< •■:. 



Sect 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 197 

education, being returned to Jerusalem in the heat of 
their youth, they frequently expressed their resentments 
for the death of their mother, ami thereby they became 
obnoxious to the rage of Salome, Herod's sister and fa- 
vourite : and thus she, who had heen one great and con- 
stant instrument to blow the ebals of jealousy and dis- 
content between Herod and his queen, and at last to 
occasion her death, pursued the same course to make 
him jealous of some designs of his sons against his life ? 

25 Q. What issue had these quarrels and jealousies ? 

A. They continued several years : plots were invent- 
ed on both sides : these gave Herod in his old age per- 
petual disquietudes, suspicions and fears : but Salome 
his sister prevailed so far by her craft against his two 
sons, that after many accusations and acquitments of 
them, she at last procured their condemnation and exe- 
cution by Herod's order and the consent of Augustus 
Csesar. This was about a year or two before the birth 
of Christ. 

26 Q. What was the general state of the heathen 
world about this time ? 

A. All the known parts of the world were subdue J 
to the Romans, and the nations were in peace ; on which 
account, the temple of Janus was shut up at Rome, which 
had never been shut but five times since the first building 
of that city; and then Jesus Christ the Prince of peace 
came into the world and was born at Bethlehem. 

27 ^. Wherein does it appear that the world was 
thus all at quiet under the government or dominion of the 
Romans ? 

A. Augustus Ceesar, the emperor of Rome, issued 
out a decree that year for a general register of his whole 
empire, which St. Luke calls a taxing, or enrolling of 
all the world. Luke ii. 1. This brought Mary the mother 
of Christ to 'Bethlehem, the city of David, to which fam- 
ily she belonged ; and while she was- there, she brought 
forth her son Jesus, as it is written, Luke ii. 1 — 13. 

Note. This year, in which Christ was born, according to 
bishop Usher's exact computation, is the four thousandth year 
from the creation ; which falls in with an old tradition of the 
18* 



198 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

Jews, that the world waa to last six thorn 
two thousand years before the law, (or b< 
was the father of circumcision and the J( (lion- 

sand under the law ; that is, from Abraham to 1 
and two thousand under the Messiah. 

And her*- I might conclude this chapt< r, havin 
T o w i - 1 1 affairs down to the birth of Christ, hut it ra . 
some light to the New Testament to carry it on a little I 

28 Q. What piece of cruelty was Herod guilty of, 
when he heard that a child was born, who was to bi- 
king of the Jews ? 

Ji. He slew all the young children in Bethlehem, 
that he might be sure to destroy Christ, and that his own 
posterity might be kings of Judea. 

29 Q. Whom did Herod design then for the succes- 
sor to his kingdom ? 

A. Antipater, his eldest son by Doris, a wife which 
Herod had before Mariamne ; his lather had raised him 
to some post of honour upon his displeasure with his 
other sons, and he had been also active and busy himself 
towards procuring the death of those two brother!. 

30 Q. Hid Antipater succeed his father in the king- 
dom, according to Herod's present design : 

Jl. Antipater longing for the crown and for his fath- 
er's death, did really conspire to poison him, and being 
convicted thereof, had a sentence of condemnation 
ed upon him : and it being confirmed by Augustus Csesar, 
was executed by his father's approbation. ^Fhis Mas the 
third son whom Herod put to death. 

31 Q. When and in what manner did Herod die : 
A. In the seventieth year of his age, and live days 

after the execution of his son Antipater, Herod himself 
died by a dreadful complication of diseases. He had a 
slow fever, an asthma, an ulcer in his bowels and his 
lower parts, which bred worms and lice : he languished 
under extreme pain and torment till he expired, and 
seems to have been smitten of God in a signal' and 
terrible manner for his cruelty, and the multiplied in- 
iquities of his whole life. 

32 Q. What instance of cruelty was he guilty ol 
even at his death f 



Sect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 199 

A. Knowing how much he was hated of the Jews, he 
concluded there would be no lamentation for hjm, but 
rather rejoicing when he died ; and to prevent this, he 
framed a project, one of the most horrid that could en- 
ter into the heart of man ; he summoned all the chief 
Jews over the whole kingdom on pain of death to appear 
at Jericho, where he then lay : lie shut them up prison- 
ers in the circus, or public place of shews, he ordered 
and adjured hi3 sister Salome and her husband, who 
were his chief confidents, to send in soldiers as soon 
as he was dead, and put them all to the sword ; For this, 
said he, ivill provide mourners for my funeral all the 
land over. 

33 (^. Was this barbarous and blood j command ex- 
ecuted r 

A. His sister Salome, as bad as she was, chose rather 
to break her oath to him than to execute so horrid a de- 
sign, and therefore she released them all after his death. 

34 Q. What posterity did Herod leave behind him ? 
A. He had nine wives, and such of his posterity as 

are named in Scripture, are these that follow, 1 namely, 
Archelaus his son, who succeeded him in the kingdom of 
Judea and Samaria, Matt, ii. 22; Herod Antipas, te- 
trarch or governor of Galilee, who cut off John the bap- 
tist's head, Matt. xiv. 1, 3, 6; Philip, governor of lturea 
and Toachonrtis, Luke in. 1; and Herod Philip, who 
married his own neice, Herod ias, and had a daughter by 
her called Salome, who danced well : but Herodias after- 
ward left him, to marry Herod Antipas his brother, for 
which John the baptist reproved this Herod Antipas. 
Luke iii. 19. 

This Herodias was daughter of Herod's son Aristobu- 
lus, whom he put to death, and sister of Herod Agrippa, 
who slew the apostle James, Jicts xii. 1, 2, and was af- 
terwards smitten of God, at Cfesarea. ver. 20 — 23. Of 
this Herod Agrippa was born, that king Agrippa the se- 
cond, before whom Paul pleaded his cause, Jets xxv. and 
xxvi. and his two sisters were, Drusilla, wife to Felix the 
governor, Acts xxiv. 24, and Be mice, who attended her 



200 SCRIPTUjfyE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

brother Agrippa to hear Paul plead. This 
borrowed from Dr. Prideaux. 

35 ^. Did Archelaus continue long in 
merit? 

A. He w manv and great instam 

tyranny, for which he was deposed, and banished to n 
town in France by the Roman emperor, when he had 
reigned in Judea between nin :* and I 

36 Q. How was Judea governed afterwards ? 

JL The Romans were so much displeased with the 
evil practices of Archelaus, that they reduced Judea to 
the form of a Roman province, and ruled it afterwards 
by procurators pr governors, who were sen! thither, and 
recalled at their pleasure: the power of life and • 
was taken out of the hands of the Jews, and placed in 
the Roman governor, and their taxes were paid n 
rectly to the Roman emperor, :md gathered by the pub- 
licans. 

57 Q. How did the Jew^ resenl liii-? 

Ji. The Pharisees, and the people under their influ- 
ence, thought it unlawful to acknowledge a kitoj; who 
was not a Jew. Deut. xvii. 15. Froina tkren 

shatt thou set a king over thee : and therefore, though 
they were constrained to pay tribute to Ctesar, yi 
scarce allowed it to he lawful ; upon this a< 
looked upon these publicans with greater detestation 
than any of the tax-gatherers in former ages, while 
governor was of the Jewish nation or religion. 

jVo/e. Th i m, \< t all the 

I dumeans having' received t u. Herod was i 

i Muni. (1 a lawful governor, &s that thev did n « •! -cnij.lc , 
to him. 

38 Q. How Mas the high priesthood carried on at 
this time : 

J], As Herod had done before, so the Roman govern- 
ors continued to make lii^h priests, and to depose them 
u as they pleased, t<> answer their own purpo 

39 ({. Who was high priest when our blea 
was put to death r 



Sect. 8. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 201 

A. Caiaphas, who was son-in-law to Annas, who had 
been himself high priest for fifteen years, and was de- 
posed by one of their governors. 

Note. Caiaphas was not immediate successor to Annas, for 
there were thr.ee high priests came between them, who had 
been instituted in that office, and deposed by the Romans : 
Hence it may come to pass, that in the history of the Gospels 
we frequently read of several chief priests at the same time, 
and of Annas and Caiaphas being high priests at the beginning 
of John the baptist's ministry. Luke iii. 2. For whether they 
had any concurring power given them by the Remans or no, 
yet being still alive, after they had been in that office, they 
might have their title given them by the people, and some of 
them had probably considerable' influence in the Jewish affairs. 
In the case of Armas aud Caiaphas, some suppose one to have 
been head of the Sanhedrim, and to have chiefly managed in 
civil affairs, the other in sacred. Others fancy one to have 
been the high priest, and the other the deputy high priest, or 
Sagan, who was always ready to perform the office, if the high 
priest was indisposed or hindered. And some think they might 
rule alternately, or together, by permission, or appointment of 
the Romans. It is evident the sacred laws of Moses were not 
strictly observed at that time among them, nor long before. 

Note. This Annas is supposed to be the same person with 
that Ananius, whom Paul did not seem to acknowledge for 
God's high priest, when he reproved him, and called him, Thou 
whited wall. Acts xxiii. 3 — 5. 

40 Q. Who was governor of Judea at that time ? 

d. Pontius Pilate: for Tiberius Caesar (who had 
reigned I wo or three years together with Augustus at 
Rome, and had after his death succeeded him now nine- 
teen years in the, empire) had a few years before made 
this Pilate governor : he was a man thoroughly prepared 
for all manner of iniquity, which lie executed through 
his whole government; and gave further proof of it in 
that unjust sentence, which he passed even against his 
own conscience, for the crucifixion of our blessed Lord, 
at the request of the wicked Jews. 

41 q. What became of Pontius Pilate at last? 

A. He was in a very short time recalled by the Ro- 
man emperor for misdemeanors in his government, and 



202 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 19. 

banished to Vienne in France, whore lie is reported to 
have put an end to his own life by the sword. 

42 Q. Did the Jews grow wiser and better after- 
wards ? 

A. They went on bv persecution antf rage ap 
the Gospel of Christ, and the professors of it, and l»v 
many other crimes, to fill up the measure of their ini(|iif- 
ties, till at last, upon their insurrection against the Ro- 
mans, they were exposed to the fury of a conquering 
army, their city and temple were utterly destroyi 
cording to the prophecy of Christ : eleven hundred thou- 
sand of the people perished, and the remains of their 
nation have been scattered abroad through the earth 
unto this day. 

43 Q. What general remark may be drawn from the- 
whole history of the Jens since their return from the 
captivity of Babylon r 

J. That the aftairs of their church and of their state 
have been for the most part so unhappy, they have beeiv 
so much disquieted by the invasions and pel 5 
the kings of the earth, so wretchedly corrupted with the 
introduction of human traditions, Pharisaical su] 
lions, and heathenish rites among them ; and so frequent- 
ly and grievously oppressed by their own priests and 
princes, as well as strangers, that they never did enjoy 
so peaceful, so pious, and so nourishing a state, as T " 
a full accomplishment of all those glorious prophecies 
which relate to their happiness alter their return from 
captivity. 

44 ((. "What follows from this remark r 

A. That there must be, in the decrees and provi- 
dence of God, a further reserve <>!' peace, holiness and 
happiness for the seed of Israel, which shall be conferred 
upon them in the latter days: and therefore we cannot 
but expect a more large and general conversion of the 
Jews to the faith of Jesus the true Messiah, than hath 
ever yet appeared, with greater blessings upon that peo- 
ple who were once so dear to God, and are below 
their fathers su!>,>. St. Paul, in his eleventh cha; 
the Romans, abundantly confirms what the propni 
courage us to hope for. 



.Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 



CHAP. XX. 

Of the Prophecies ivhich relate to Jesus Christ our 
Saviour, and their Accomplishment ; or, a Propheti- 
cal Connection between the Old and New Testament 

INTRODUCTION. 

As I have given an Historical Continuation of the 
affairs of the Jews from the time of Nehemiah* where the 
Old Testament ends, to the time of Jesus Christ our 
Lord ; so I have here inserted a chapter of some of the 
plainest predictions or prophecies which are found in 
the Old Testament, that relate to the person, offices and 
glories of the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, and are ful- 
filled in the Gospel : and it may bo called A Prophetical 
Connection between the Old Testament and the New. 

And because I would not give offence by introducing 
such prophecies as are either much doubted or denied 
toy any Christians; therefore I shall scarce mention any 
-but what some of the writers of the New Testament 
.either directly cite, or to which they have a plain refer- 
ence in some of their expressions. 

1 Q. Since the great subject of the New Testament 
is our Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel, tell me now 
what are the chief discoveries or representations made 
■of him in the Old Testament ? 

JL Besides the types or emblems of Christ and his 
Gospel, which are found in the Jewish worship, there are 
also several plain expressions in the books of the Old 
Testament, which are predictions or prophecies con- 
cerning him, long before he came into the world. See 
some of the types in chap. V. Q. 116. 

2 Q. What is the first and earliest prophecy of 
Christ ? 

A. Gen. iii. 15, where God said to the first wo- 
man, that is, to Eve, that her seed should bruise th 
head of the serpent 



204 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 20. 

3 Q. Wherein is this prophecy fulfilled? 

A. Gal. iv. 4, God stmt forth his Son made of a iro- 
•nan. 1 John iii. s, The Son of God wot nun,' 
that he might destroy the works of the devil} that i>, 
he should destroy the mischievous designs and de< 
tlu* devil, who lav hid in the serpent, when he tempted 
Adam and Eve to sin: and this, in the languaf 
prophecy, is called, bruising the serpent's head. 

4 Q. What is the next plain prophecy of Christ? - 
A. Gen. xviii. 18, and xxii. 18, where God tells 

Abraham, that in him and his seed shall all the na- 
tions of the forth be blessed. 

5 Q. Hotv does this appear to have a reference to 
Christ? 

A. Gal. iii. 8, The Scripture preacheth the Gospel 
unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations b> 
ed ; ver. 16. JVow to Abraham ana 

jjromises made: He saith, To thy seed, which is Christ i 
who was to be derived in a long cm 
from Abraham, and therefore Christ may be called the 
Son of Abraham. Matt. i. 1. 

6 Q. To whom was this promise given t» 
ham ? 

A. It was given to Isaac the son of Abraham, 
xxvi. 4, and to Jacob bis grandson. Gfen. xxviii. 14. In 
thee and in thy seed shall all nations be bl< - 

7 Q. Did Jacob prophecy concerninu: Chri-tr 

A. Yes, in bis dying speech to his son .hulah, Gen. 
xlix. 10. TJie sceptre (or tribe, a^ the word sigi 
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawsiv 
tween his feet, until Shiloh come, and till the gal 
of the people be unto him. 

8 Q. How can you prove that this prophecy re 
to Christ r 

A. Shiloh signifies one that is sent, u] ich ia Hie fre- 
quent character of Christ, thai I \y the Father. 
John x. 36, &e. and xvii. indeed the 
Jews themselves own thai n sijj Now 
Judah did continue to be a tribe, and to ha 
of government amongst them till Clirist came: I 



(hap. CO. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 205 

about ten or twelve years old when Archelaus was de- 
posed, and Judea reduced to the form of a Roman prov- 
ince, and then the power of life and death was taken 
from them. See chap. xix. Q. 36. And when the people, 
that is, the Jews and Gentiles, were gathered in great 
numbers unto Christ, then the tribe of Judah, or the 
Jewish nation, was broken to pieces and scattered, Jeru- 
salem was destroyed, and all appearance of government 
among them was lost ; which is an effectual argument 
against the Jews that their Messiah is already come. 

°9 (J. Who was the next person that prophesied con- 
cerning Christ ■? 

Jl. Moses, in the 18th chapter of Bzut. ver. 15, 18. 

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet 
from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, 
and to him shall ye hearken. 

10 Q. How does it appear Moses designed Jesus 
Christ in this prophecy ? 

Jl. St. Stephen the martyr cites these words in his 
dying speech when he was put to death for the sake of 
Christ, and applies them to him. Jets vii. 37. 

11 <£. But were not many prophets, as Isaiah, Jere- 
miah, Elijah, Elisha, and several others like unto Moses? 

Jl. None of them, beside Jesus Christ, came to insti- 
tute a new religion, as Moses did ; or wrought such nu- 
merous and various miracles to attest their doctrine. 

12 Q. Who was the next eminent prophet that spake 
plainly of Christ ? . 

Jl. David speaks often of him in his book of Psalms, 
in many remarkable expressions, and describes his in- 
-carnation, his sufferings, his exaltation, and his various 
offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, namely, 

1. His coming into the world to preach the truth of 
God, and the doctrine of righteousness, for the salvation 
of men, and the weakness and insufficiency of the Jew- 
ish sacrifices. Psalm xl. 6, 7, 8, Sacrifice and offering 
thou didst not desire ; that is, the Jewish sacrifices were 
not required as real and effectual expiations, because 
they could not take away sin: but mine ears hast thou 
epened; then said-I,~Lo, I come ; in the volume of the 
19 



206 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi] 

book it is written of me ; I delight to do thy will, O 
my God, 1 have preached righteousness in im I 

congregation, 1 have declared thy faithfulness and t/n/ 
salvation, ike. The first part of tins Psalm is expi ■ 
applied to Christ, JJeb. x. 5, &c. and instead of the words, 
mine ears hast thou opened, the apostle expresses it, a 
body hast thou prepared me: and then he l 
to shew how Christ made himself a perfect ami effectual 
sacrifice! instead of all the imperfect sacrifices under 
the law. 

2. His being chosen out of the Jewish nation t<» be 
the Saviour and the King of Israel, is foretold under the 
emblem of David. Psalm lxxxix. 18, &c. Then thou 
spakest in vision to thy Holy One, aud saidst, J have 
laid help upon One that is mighty : I have exaUi 
chosen out of the people: — 1 will make him my I 
born, higher than the kings of the earth, &c. Christ 
is called the First-born of the creation, and King of 
kings. CoL i. 15. Rev. xix. 16. 

3. The children in the temple singing )\\> triumph, 
when he entered into Jerusalem, is early intimated. 
Psalm viii. 2, Out of the mouth of babes and 
liiigs thou hast ordained strength, or perfected p 

and in Psalm cxviii. 23, 26, yeu have the very wc 
their sons;; Save now, I beseech thee, (which in the He- 
brew is Jlosannah) O Lord : blessed is he that CO 
in the name of the Lord ; which is applied to t 
Mitt. xxi. 9. And as the Scribes and Phai 
and had indignation against him on thi so i Li- 

very rage is intimated in the same 8th Psalm, tt 
The babes and sucklings cried out, and did still or t i 
the enemy and the avenger, that is, tlie ueiDj . 

And this is further hinted in the 1 1 8th PsaL ,• 
David calls Christ the Stone ivhich the built 
and which is become the head Stone oj 
teachers and rulers of the Jews, who should hav< 
the builders of the church, rei< 
occasion he applies these words u, himself, - 
r<nd they are applied to him h 



Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 207 

Peter, Eph. ii. 20, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
Comer-stone; and 1 Pet. ii. 7, The Stone which the 
builders disallowed, is made the Head of the corner. 

4. His persecution by princes and people is declared 
in Psalm ii. 1. Why do the heathen rage, and the people 
imagine a vain thing ? The kings of ihe earth set them- 
selves, and the rulers take counsel together against the 
Lord, and against his Anointed, that is, against his 
Messiah or Christ ; which was cited and fulfilled, Acts 
iv. 26, 27, when Herod and Pontius Pilate, and the peo- 
ple, both Gentiles and Jews, all rose up against Jesus 
of Nazareth, and put him to death. 

5. His bitter reproaches and sufferings, and the man- 
ner of his death, is foretold by David in the 22d and 
69th Psalms In the beginning of the 22d Psalm, 
David, by way of emblem, in prophecy speaks the words 
of Christ upon the cross, My God, my God, why hast 
thou forsaken me ? ver. 16, 18, They pierced my hands 
and my feet ; they parted my garments among them, 
and cast' lots upon my vesture : and that he was brought 
down to the dust of death, ver. 15. All these things 
were fulfilled when they nailed his hands and feet to a 
cross, when they cast lots for his garments, and slew 
him. Matt, xxvii. 35,46. John xix. 23, 24. 

His reproaches and his cruel treatment are described 
farther, Psalm. Ixix. 20, 21. Beproach hath broken my 
heart; I am full of heaviness: they gave me also gall 
for my meal: in my thirst tltey gave me vinegar to drink. 
Matt, xxvii. 48. 

6. His resurrection from the dead. Psalm xvi. 10, 
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, that is, in 
the state of the dead, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy 
One to see corruption, that is, to lie long enough in the 
grave to be subject to rottenness : Thou wilt skew me the 
path of life. Now this was evidently fulfilled in Christ 
at his rising from the dead to life again before he had 
lain three complete days. Jlcts ii. 31, and xiii. 33 — 38 ; 
1 Cor. xv.- 4. 

7. His ascension to heaven attended with angels, his 
triumph over the devils, his receiving gifts. from the fath- 



208 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 8* 

er, and his distribution of them to men, are foretold in 
Psalm lxviii. 17, 18. The chariots of Hod are twenty 
thousand, even thousands of angels $ tlie Lord is a 
them. Thau hast ascended on high, thou hast I, d 
tivify captive, thou hast received gifts for men; yea, 
for the. rebellious also, that the Lord (rod might dwell 
among them. Which words are applied to our Saviour 
being ascended to heaven, and having led the devils cap- 
tive, and bestowed gifts on men, namely, prophets, 
lies, &c. for the ministry of the Gospel, that God 
dwell among men, who before were rebel! 
him. Eph. iv. 8. See also Col. ii. 15, He spoiled ■ 
palities and powers, and triumphed over them. 

8. His exaltation to the kingdom at God's rigjit hand, 
and to the priesthood of intercession, is described par- 
ticularly, psalm ex. 1, 4. The Lord said unto my ' 

sit thou ' my right hand till I make thy cnemi* 
footstool: and, thou art a Priest for ever after the or- 
der of Melchisedek ; which expressions are applied to 
Christ, Matt, xxii. 42, 44, Acts ii. 23, &c. Heb. v. 6, and 
ch. vii. £, 3, 17, where Christ is exalted to be a A7> . 
a Priest as Melchisedek was, and that too, a Pi 
constant intercession or pleading with God for men, and 
blessing them, as Melchisedek blessed Abraham. 

9. The character of this Kins; is described in several 
Psalms ; as in Psalm xlv. 6, 7. Thy throne, G 
forever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a 
right sceptre: thou lovest ri ^ and hatest- 
wickediiess: therefore God, thy (rod. hath a 

irith the oil of gladness above thy fellows: whi 
plain description of Jesus Christ, H> b. 
anointed with the Hohj Ghost and with p 
38, and who had the Holy Spirit without measur 
iii. 34. And yet further, in Psalm Ixxii. is a larg 
acter of Christ under the emblem of Solomon : and 
Psalm Lxxxtx. describes Christ under the character of 
David himself. 

10. In the exalta- 
tion are described under the dislind and peculiar 
acter of the Son of God: ver< 6, 7, 1 have - 

my holij hill of Zion : and t 



Cnap. &i. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 209 

cree: thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee : 
which is cited to prove the resurrection and advance- 
ment of Christ to the throne by the power of the 
Father, and as the image of the Father. He was 
first the King of Zion or Israel, as God is King of 
his church, Acts xiii. 33, Heb. v. 5, and he is now also 
Lord of the heathen, and King of all nations, as God is 
King or Ruler of all the world. The 8th verse particular- 
ly declares the submission of the heathens to Christ, af- 
ter he begun his work of intercession in heaven : Ask of 
me, and 1 shall give thee the heathen for thine inherit 
tance, and the uttermost parts of the' earth for thy pos- 
session. The next words also, namely, thou shalt break 
them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a 
potter's vessel, are applied to Christ, Bev. ii. 27, and 
foretel his power, and vengeance against his enemies. 

Note 1. In some ot these Psalms we should not have known 
Christ or the Messiah was intended, if Christ himself or the 
apostles had not cited them for this purpose ; yet some of them 
are so evident, that the ancient Jews applied them to the Mes- 
siah ; and we cannot but apply them to him, because they 
could not be applied to David, or to any other person. 

Nole 2. There might be also many other texts cited out ot 
the book of Psalms, which are interpreted concerning Jesus 
Christ in the New Testament, which we should not otherwise 
have known to belong to him ; as Psalm xcvii, 7. Worship hint 
all ye gods; which is applied to him in Heb. i. 6. Let all the an- 
gels of God worship him, who in Scripture are sometimes called 
gods. So Psalm cii. 25 — 27, are applied in the same chapter 
to Christ, and shew us that the world was created by him; 
TJiou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the 
earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands, &c. In both 
which texts, as well as in several others, the very same names, 
characters, and actions, which are attributed to" Jehovah, the- 
God of the Jews, the only true God, in the Old Testament, are 
applied to Jesus Christ in the New : which plainly advances his 
character so high, as to assure us, that he is one with the father ; 
that he is Goa* manifested in the flesh, whose name is Emmanu- 
el, or God ivith us ; as we shall learn immediately from Isaiah 
the prophet. 

13 Q. We have heard various and express prophe- 
cies which David gave concerning the Messiah ; and did 
not Solomon also prophecy of Christ ? 
19* ' 



210 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CBaa 

A. Many Christian-, in aider and later times, have 
supposed that the eighth chapter of Solomon's Proverbs 

speaks of Christ in his divine nature, under the character 
of wisdom. 

JVWe. Some of the ancient t" it h«-r- suppose wisdom Ii 
chapter, to denote .'■ Ho!t 

Spirit: But other writers question whether ther 
full and sufficient proof of either i f these opinion 
Testament, as to write them down « 
sometimes explains it of Christ's human nature. \ 
accounts Dr. Patrick himself doubt-, whether this 
cy of Christ, or no ; or whether it only relate* I 
human wisdom. 

14 Q. But did not Solomon write the Sons; of So 
and is not Christ there foretold as the brid 
husband of the church ? 

Ji. The metaphors and similitudes of the same kind 
which are used in the 45th Psalm, and in 
Epistles, and the book of the Revelations, have generally 
persuaded our Christian expositors to apph 
the spiritual characters and transaction- oi 
his church : but the expressions are so much bom 
from the affairs of a human love, that they hardly afford 
such sufficient argument for the. proof of the 
more evident and direct prophecies, winch is my pi 
chief business ; nor indeed do I know that the Ne? 
lament cites any of Solomons writings as prophfc 
Christ. 

15 Q. Which is the next of the prophets which sneak 
of Christ, as they stand in order in our Bible ? 

A. Isaiah, who was called the evangelical or G 
prophet, because he foretels the greatest \ ariety of i 
That relate to him, namely, 

1. That he shall be. born of a virgin, lsa. vii. 14, A 
cirgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his 
name Emmanuel : which was explained and accon 
rd when the virgin Mary brought forth her bob 
Matt. \. 20 — 25. The name Emmanuel signifk 
with us. 
% That he ?hall be of the family 



Chap. 20. SCRIFITJRE HISTORY. 211 

who shall be king of Israel ; that his name shall be 
the mighty God,,and his kingdom shall stand for ever. 
Isa. xi. 10," In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, 
which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall 
the Gentiles seek. Isa. ix. 6, 7, Unto us a child is bom : 
unto us a son is given ; the government shall be upon 
his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful: 
Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the 
Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government 
and peace there shall be )io end : upon the throne of Da- 
vid, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish 
it w it h judgment and justice, from henceforth even for 
ever. 

3. And vet that he should be rejected by many oi 
the Jews, and should be received by the Gentiles. Isa. 
viii. 14, He shall be for a Sanctuary; that is, a Refuge for 
mankind : but for a Stone of stumbling, and Rock of of- 
fence to both the houses of Israel; that is botli to Judah 
and Benjamin who made up the Jewish nation ; or to the 
two kingdoms both of Judah and Israel, as they were 
distinguished in former times. Now this text is applied 
to Christ. Horn. ix. 33. 1 Pet.n.8. His rejection by the 
Jews is foretold also in Isa. liii. 1,2, 3. Who hath be- 
lieved, Sfc, But that the Gentiles shall receive him for 
a Saviour and a King, Isaiah fore t els in many places; as 
chap. xlix. 6, 7, He shall be a Light to the Gentiles, and 
Salvation to the ends of the earth. To him whom man 
despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, that is the 
nation of the Jews, kings shall look and arise ; 
princes also shall worship. Which must refer to the 
kings of the heathens, for the Jews had then no kings 
who worshipped him. Isa. xlii. 1,6, Behold my Ser- 
vant whom I have chosen, mine Elect, in whom my soul 
delighteth ; I have put my Spirit upon him, he shall 
bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. The same is re- 
peated in several other chapters, Isa. liii, 10, and lv. 4, 
5. And speaking of the Jews who rejected Christ, he 
saith in chap. xlv. 15 9 Ye shall leave your name for a 
curse to my chosen, for the Lord God shall slay thee, 
and shall call his servants by another name, The name 



flS SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

ot a Jew is become like a word of reproach or curse 
among the Christians, who now are tt 

4. Thai he shall be full of the Spirit of God, of wis- 
dom, and knowledge, and piety, justice an 

tea. xi. 1, 2, And there sliall come forth a ' 

the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grou 

roots : and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest up 

the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and wn 

of counsel and )night, the. spirit of 

the fear of the Lord. This is fulfilled in John 

lie whom God hath sent, speaketh the word of 

for God giveth not the Spirit unto him by measure. Col. 

iii. -\. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdox 

knowledge. John i. 39, The Spirit abode upon Jiim. 

5. His commission for the ministry, or pi 
Gospel, is also described by this prophet ; that he 
pronounce tenor to the wicked, and ; 

and humble and penitent. Isa. xi. 4, li 
earth with the rod of his mouth, with tlie breath < 
lips he shall slay the wicked. Isa, Ixi. 1 — 3, The ■'■ 
of the Lord God is upon me ; beca I hath 

anointed me to preach good tidings.unto the n 
sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proelai 
erty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to 
them that are bound ; to proclaim the acceptabl 
of the Lord, and the day of vengeanc i 
comfort all that mourn, $c. Which was evidently ful- 
filled in Jesus Christ, when he published pardon i 
and everlasting life to those that repent and belli 
him; and pronounced the punishments of hell open the 
impenitent; and our Saviour particularly applies 
prophecy to himself, Luke iv. IS — J I . 

6. That he sh.all wuik miracles of healing when he 
comes to be a Saviour. Isa. xxxv. A, Behold your 
will come and save you ; then the eyes of the blind shall 
be opened, and the cars of // be unstop i 
then shall the lame man leap as 

of the dumb shall sing : which was fulfilled whtCJ 
Saviour wrought In uot only on other - 

sions, but more cmiucntlv. in the >in'u o 



Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 213 

John the baptist, who came to learn whether he were the 
Christ or no. Matt. xi. 2 — 6. And our Saviour proves it 
by his miracles before their eyes. 

J 7. That he should have a forerunner to prepare his 
way in the wilderness. Isa. xl. 3, The voice of him that 
rrieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the 
Lord; make straight in the desert a high-wan for our 
God : and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and 
all flesJi shall see if together : that is, the glory of the 
Lord shall be made visible to fleshly eves by dwelling 
bodily or in the body of Jesus Christ, when God shall 
manifest himself in "the Jlcslt.l Tim. iii. 13. And John 
the baptist was his forerunner ra the wilderness of Ju- 
dah. Matt. iii. 1, 2, 3. 

8. The sufferings of Christ also, and his meekness 
and patience under the contempt, reproaches and perse- 
cution he met with at his death, as an atonement for sin * 
his being numbered among vile sinners ; his burial with 
the rich ; his resurrection, exaltation, and intercession ; 
are all spoken of in that admirable chapter, Isa. 53d, 
which I desire my readers to peruse in this place: for 
the whole of it is expressed in language so exceeding 
plain, that it seems sufficient to convince any honest in- 
fidel or heathen ; and »it did actually convince that wild 
and atheistical nobleman the earl of Rochester, in the 
last age, of the truth of the Gospel, when he compared 
these words of the prophecy of Isaiah with the 24th, 
and following chapters of the Gospel of St. Matthew ; 
and he became a Christian penitent. 

16 Q. Did Jeremiah prophecy concerning Christ ? 

A. Yes ; in a few places of his prophecy. Jer. ii. 35, 
36, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will- 
raise unto David a righteous Brand! : and a King shall 
reign and prosper, and execute judgment and justice in 
the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel 
shall dwell safely ; and this is his name whereby he shall, 
he called, the Lord our Righteousness. Which is re- 
peated, Jer. xxxiii. 14, 15. 

There are also some other prophecies relating to Christ 



214 SCRIPTTTRB HISTORY. CI.., 

and his Gospel in ./. r. xxxi. some of which are cited in 
the New Testament 

17 Q. Did Ezekiel foretel any tiling cone 
Christ ? 

A. Yes; under the character of David, I 
of God, who was both a shepherd and a king. 1 
xxxiv. 23, r24, Jind 1 will set up one Shepherd ovrr 
them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: 
and I the Lord will fye their God, a. nt Da- 

vid a Prince among them : and 1 will make with them 
a covenant of peace. Ezek. xxxui. 21, / will / 
children of Israel from among- the heathi 
they be gone, I will gather them on every side, and bring 
them into their ou-n land ; and I will m ■•' 
nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel, ai 
King shall be King to them all. ver.9A. Now < 
Jesus was this great Shepherd of the people, X 
1 — 16, and King of Israel, John i. 40, and xix. i 

18 O. What were the prophecies of Daniel con 
ing Christ ? 

»#. Daniel describes him, as the Son of man who 
came with the clouds of heaven ;*and the) 
him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that ai 
pie and nations should serve hini'; and his domi 
an everlasting dominion. Dan. vii. IS, 14. Now our 
blessed Saviour is continually called the Son of man in 
the history of the Gospel ; and is Baid to c 
clouds of heaven, Matt. xxiv. 3f>, and xxvk 64, and Uni- 
versal dominion is given him, Slett. xxviii. 18. 

There is also anocher very remarkable account <•! J 
Christ, or the Messiah, given to Daniel bv th 
briel, Dan. ix. 24, c-c. that before the full end 

, that is seventy u days, which, i 

phetical language, are four hundred and nil. 
ler (he commission to Nehemiah t<> rest 
Hie church of the Jews; the Messiah shall b 
not for Ls term ^\' \ 

finish tran>: . 

•iliatiim for bring in 

righteousness 



(hap. 20, SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 215 

anoint the Most Holy. And after this, the people of the 
prince that shall come, that is, the Romans, shall de- 
stroy the city and the sanctuary. All which were ful- 
filled in their proper seasons, by the death of Christ, his 
atonement for sin, and the destruction of Jerusalem and 
the temple some time after. 

19 Q. What is the next remarkable prophecy con- 
cerning Christ in the books t»f Scripture ? 

A. Micah tells us the place where Christ should be 
born. Mic. v. 2, Thou Bethlehem Epratah, though thou 
be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee 
shall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, 
whose goings fortli have been from old, from everlasting. 
Which prophecy is plainly fulfilled, Matt. ii. 1 — 6, and 
Luke ii. 4, 5, when Mary the mother of Christ went up 
to Bethlehem to be taxed there, being of the family of 
David, together with Joseph her husband, of the same 
family, and there she brought forth her son Jesus. 

£0 Q. What did Haggai foretel concerning Christ ? 

Jl. Hag. ii. 6- — 9, For thus saith the Lord of hosts, 
yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens 
and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land : and I will 
shake all nations; and thcBesire of all nations shallcome, 
and 1 will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of 
hosts: and the glory of this latter house shall be great- 
er than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts. Which 
is naturally explained thus : he who was the Desire of 
all nations, or who should be desired as a Saviour by the 
Jews and Gentiles, should co.ne (as Malachi expresses 
it) into his temple. Mai. iii. 1. And by this means, even 
by his own presence, should make the latter temple, 
which was built after the captivity, more glorious than 
that of Solomon's ; though its riches and magnificence, 
in all outward respects, were far inferior to Solomon's t 
this is the only reasonable construction that can be put 
upon those words. 

21 Q. Does Zechariah tell us any thing concerning 
•Christ ? 

Jl. Though his prophecy be generally pretty obscure, 
yet in several places he speaks those things which plain- 



216 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

ly relate to the Messiah : some whereof are cited and 
applied to Christ in the New Testament M*d several of 
iliem were attributed te the Messiah by the ancient . 
See the texts that follow. 

He tells us in chap. vi. ver. 12, T'i,is sprakrth the 
Lord of hosts, saying, Behold tin- man irh< 
the Branch, he shall build the temple of the Lord, he 
shall bear the glory, and r.hall sit and rule upon his 
throne, and he snail be a Priest upon his throne, and the 
council of peace shall be between them both : and they 
that are afar off shall come and build in the temple of 
the Lord. Wherein the prophet informs us, ■ that tin- 
person, whom foregoing prophets have called the Branch 
out of the root of Jesse, shall build up the church of 
God in the world, shall be both a Priest and a Kin . 
counsels of peace; and the heathens that are afar off 
shall come and assist this work of building up the 
church." 

This same prophet declares also that Christ should 
come to Jerusalem as the K'ing of Zioi .•■, 
bringing salvation, riding upon a colt the foal 
ass. Zech. ix. 10. Which was fulfilled. Jlatt. I 
and John xii. 15. 

22 Q. Does this prophet say any ihing conn 
the remission of sins to be obtained through 
Christ ? 

A. Yes; there is a remarkable prophecy in Zech, xiii. 
!, which must be referred to this subject. In that day 
there shall be a fountain opened to t) David, 

and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and f 
cleanness ; that is, by the death of Christ, and his blood 
making atonement for sin. And ver. 7, his sufl 
are described, which should be inflicted on him, 
God himself should bruise him, m I make his soul a* 
offering Joy sin, as Isaiah expresses it ; and that his 
disciples for a season should forsake him. Zech. 
J] wake, sword, against myShcpht rd,and again* 
Man that is my Fella v, ?ait the Lord of h 
the Shepherd, and 
.Hilled. Matt 



Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 217 

And besides all this, his sufferings from the hands of 
men are also described, namely, that he should be sold 
for thirty pieces of silver, which should be given to the 
potter, Zech. xi. 12, 13, which the prophet speaks as per- 
sonating the Messiah, as David had often done before : 
and it was fulfilled. Matt, xxvii. 9, 10. The prophet 
foretels also the manner of his death, namely, that he 
should be pierced; and intimates the conversion of some 
of those Jews who crucified him. Zech.s.\i. 10, / will 
pour out on the house of David, and the inhabitants of 
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplication ; and 
they shall look on me Yor him) whom they have pierced, 
and mourn for him : fulfilled in John xix. 34, 3^, when 
his side was pierced with a spear, and his hands and feet 
with nails ; and Acts ii. 23, 36, 37, 41, when his cruci- 
tiers were converted ; whereof a fuller and more glorious 
accomplishment is expected in the latter days among the 
Jewish nation, who have been piercing him with re- 
proaches almost ever since. 

23 Q. And what does Malachi the last of the pro- 
phets speak concerning Christ? 

A. His prophecy is expressed in pretty plain lan- 
guage. Chap.'yW. \, Behold I will send my messenger, 
(namely, John the baptist) and he shall prepare the way 
before me. Matt. xi. 10. And the Lord whom ye seek 
shall suddenly come to his temple? even the Messenger 
of the covenant whom you delight in. And he shall sit 
as a refiner and purifier of silver ; and he shall purify 
the sons of Levi, that they may offer to the Lord an 
offering in righteousness. Now this was accomplished 
when Christ came into the temple, and when he reformed 
the evil practices of the priests and the people, 

24 Q. You have given us a large account of what the 
Jewish prophets have foretold ; but were there no others 
besides the Jews which prophecied concerning Christ? 

A. Yes ; there are two very remarkable persons who 
were not Jews, whose expressions have a reference to 
«*ur blessed Saviour ; and these were Balaam and Job. 

25 Q. What did Balaam say concerning Christ ? 

20 



I • w -fr 



218 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 20. 

Ji. There slutll come a Star out of Jacob, and a 
Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the 
corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth ; 
Heir and Edom shall be a possession ; and out of 
shall come he who shall nave dominion. A'umh. \\\\. 
17, &c. 

2fi ({. What reason is given to prove that this refers 
to Christ r 

Ji. Christ is called the Morning Star. Rev. xxii. 16. 
He was of the family of Jacob or Israel : he BhaH smite 
and destroy the enemies of the church, and have the bet- 
thens for a possession, and his dominion is everlasting. 
Psalm ii. 6—9. 

27 Q. What is the remarkable prophecy which Job 
spake concerning Christ ? 

Ji. Job xix. 25, 26, I know that my Redeemer liv- 
eth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the 
earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this 
body, yet in myjlesli shall I see God. 

28 Q. When is this prophecy to be fulfilled ? 

A. When Christ the Redeemer, who lives in heaven, 
shall come to raise the dead, and to judge the world, he 
shall stand at last upon the earth, after his onem;. 
conquered ; and the children of God in their new raised 
bodies shall see God ; that is, shall see Jesus Christ the 
Redeemer, who is Emmanuel, or God with us ; and who 
is described as God manifest in the fish. 1 77/ 
1C, 17. 1 Cor. xv. 24—2tJ. 1 Tim."\\\. 16. 

29 Q. What great and evident truths may be infer- 
red from this long rank of prophecies concerning 
Christ our Saviour? 

Ji. We learn, that from the beginning of the world, 
ever since the sin and fall of Adam, throughput the 
ral ages of mankind, there hath been a continual v 
nion of prophecies given 1mm God, who foreknows ill 
things, concerning some great and glorious l)eli\ ■;• 
Saviour, who should be manifested to the world in I 
and that he should appear as the King of fsrs 
both of Jews and I 



Chap. 20. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 219 

ly lie has been expected by those good men in the several 
ages who were best acquainted with the Scriptures, and 
particularly in that age wherein Jesus Christ appeared. 
See Luke i. 60, 70, and xxiv. -27. Acts iii. 18 — 24. 

30 (£. But does this determine Jesus the son of Mary, 
to be this glorious person, this expected Saviour? 

A. Since all the characters which so many prophets, 
in so many different ages, have given concerning the 
Messiah or Christ the Saviour, do really agree and meet 
together in Jesus, and in none besides; they leave us no 
room tOfdoubt whether this Je^us of Nazareth, the son of 
Man;, be the Christ or no. 



31S 3 

ades 



■ 0H 



nix 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

NEW TESTAMENT* 

ABRIDGED IN WAY OE 

QUESTION AND ANSWER. 

THE INTRODUCTION. 

Having finished the History of the Old Testament, 
and related in short the affairs of the Jews, so far as we 
find them recorded elsewhere, w r e proceed now to the 
History of the New. The chief subjects of it are our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour oT mankind ; John the 
baptist, who was the forerunner ; and the apostles, who 
were his followers. 

The history of John the baptist is but short ; it contains 
a brief narrative of his birth, his ministry, and his death. 

The history of Christ our Saviour is much larger, and 
it may be divided into three distinct parts," namely, the 
account of his birth and childhood ; the account of his 
public life and ministry ; and the account of his death, 
resurrection and ascension. 

The history of the apostles, after our Saviour's ascen- 
sion, begins with an account of the twelve apostles, in 
general, but chiefly of St. Peter and St. John ; and pro- 
ceeds more largely to a particular account of the travels, 
labours, and sufferings of St. Paul : and this concludes 
BO* 



a**.- 



222 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Ch:. : 

the Scripture History, except what is contained in the 
visions of St. John, in the Revelation. 

The writers of this history are St. Matthew ami St. 
John the apostles ; St. Mark the companion of Bt I 
and St. Luke the companion of St. Paul. It is contained 
chiefly in the four Gospels, written by those evangi 
whose names they bear, and in the Acts of the Apostles, 
of which Luke was the writer ; though some further hint- 
and memoirs may be collected from some parts of the 
Epistles. 



CHAP. XXI. 

Of John the Baptist. 

1 Q. As the Old Testament be^in^ with the creation 
of the world, so the first question here is, who wac 
Saviour of the world r 

Ji. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who wag sent down 
to dwell among men, in order to become theii Saviour. 
Matt.i. 21. 1 Tim. i. 15. John iii. 17. 1 Joint iv. 14. 
Matt. xxL 1G. 

2 Q. "What notice was ever given of his coming? 
Ji. God himself, and his prophets, throughout all ages, 

have foretold his coming a> some grea< I>« I. 

Messiah, or Anointed of God. Luke i. 70k ./.7s iii. is. 

3 Q. Were there any plain marks or COJ 
en him whereby he might be known } 

Ji. "tes ; many characters of him are found n 
books of the Old Testament, as the foregoing i 
declares; and he has answered them all, both in hit 
his doctrine, his death, and his resurrection. 

4 Q. AVas such a Messiah expe< ted )>\ the J%\ 
whom the books of the Old Testament 

Ji. He was long expected by them, and 
in that age wherein he came : ai d th 
and bv the Samaritans. John i. A 
John iv. 25, 29. 



Chap. 21. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. < 22S 

Note. It is worth our observation, that not only the Jews 
and Samaritans, but the heathens also, about this time, expect- 
ed some great king or glorious person to be born. 

Virgil, the Roman poet, who lived in the time of Augustus 
Caesar, in his fourth Eclogue, is supposed to describe the bles- 
sings of the government and age of some great person, who was 
or should be born about this time : and he doth it in language very 
agreeable to the Jewish prophet's description of the Messiah, 
and his kingdom. Some suppose that he borrowed this sense 
from some ancient books of the prophetesses, who were called 
Sybils : but it is evident that those writings of the Sybils which 
are delivered down to us, have so many signs of forgery, that 
we can give no great credit to them. 

Suetonius, a Roman writer, tells us, in the life of Augustus 
Caesar, that there was one Julius Marathus, declared, u that 
Nature was about to bring forth a king for the people of Rome.'" 
He says also, in the life of Vespasian, " that there had prevailed 
over all the eastern part of the world, a constant opinion, that 
about that time there should come out of Judea those who 
should obtain the empire of the world." Tacitus, another of 
their historians, saith the same thing ; and that it was contained 
in the ancient books of the Jewish priests : so that both Jews 
and Gentiles expected now some glorious person to arise in the 
world. 

5 ({. Who was the forerunner, or the messenger sent 
to declare that he was just at hand ? 

Ji. John the baptist, the son of Zecharias and Elisa- 
beth. Luke i. 5, 67. Mark i. 2. 

6 Q. What was Zecharias ? 

Ji. A good man, and a priest, who lived without a 
child till his wife and he were both grown old. 
Luke i. 6, 7. 

7 Q. What was there remarkable in the birth of 
John? 

Ji. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zecharias while 
he was offering incense in the temple, and the people 
were praying without, and told him that he should have 
a son, and should call his name John. Luke i. 9, &c. 

8 Q. What sign did the angel give of the truth of his 
message ? 

JI That Zecharias should be dumb, and not able to 
speak till John was born. ver. 20. 



■■ 



224 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 81. 

9 Q. What honour was done to Elisabeth while she 
was with child of her son ? 

A. The virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, made a 
visit to her, and they both rejoiced and praised God to- 
gether in a divine rapture. Luke i 39 — 55. 

10 Q. When was Zecharias released from his dumb- 
ness, and had his voice restored to him ? 

JI. When his wife brought forth a son, and they were 
going to circumcise the child, he wrote his name John 
on a table, and then his tongue was loosed, and he -pake 
the praises of God. ver, 59 — 64. 

11 ({. Where was John brought up ? 

A. In the desert country or wilderness of Judea, and 
there also he began his public ministry, when he was 
about thirty years of age. ver. 80, and Luke iii. 2. 

12 Q. What was his chief commission from God : 
A. He was sent to preach the doctrine of repentance, 

and forgiveness of sins; to baptize or wash with water 
those who professed their repentance, and to direct the 
people to Christ as the Saviour. Mark i. 4, 5. Joint i. 
26,31. 

13 Q. What further instructions did he give to the 
people ? 

J. He bid them not trust in their being the children 
of Abraham; he taught them lessons of love and liberal- 
ity; to give food and clothing to those who wanted : and 
he gave special directions to the Pharisees and Saddu- 
cees, to the publicans and the soldiers, who cattle to be 
baptized. Matt, iii. 7, 8. Luke iii. 7 — 14. 

14 (f. What directions did lie give to th« Phai 
and Sadducees? 

. Ji. He bid them bring forth fruits in their li\. 
make their repentance appear, ;b well at profess it with 
their lips. Matt. iii. 7, 8. 

15 Q. What advice did he give the publi 
gatherers ? 

A. To exact or demand no more money of the peo- 
ple than what was appointed. L 

16 Q. And what v. a- his counsel to the soldiet 



Chap. 21. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 225 

A. To do violence or injury to 'none, to accuse no 
person falsely, and to be content with their pay. Luke 
iii. 14. 

17 Q. What did he say concerning himself ? 

A, That he was not the Christ, nor the very prophet 
Elias risen from the dead ; but that lie was only come 
as a voice in the wilderness, to prepare the way of the 
Lord, according to the prophecy of Isaiah. John i. 
20—23. Isa. xl. 3. 

18 Q. But does not Jesus Christ himself say, that 
John was Elias, or Elijah ? 

A. Yes; because he came in the spirit and power of 
Elias, to prepare the way for Christ, according to the 
sense of the prophet Malachi. Mai. iv. 5. Luke i. 17. 
Matt.xwil 12, 13. 

19 Q. Wherein did he imitate or look like Elias, or 
Elijah ? 

A. That he wore a garment of hair ; that he lived 
an austere life, like Elijah, in the wilderness ; that he 
came to begin a reformation among the Jews, as Elias 
did, when they were greatly corrupted ; and he reproved 
Herod, as Elias reproved Ahab. Mark i. 6, and ix. 13. 
Matt. xiv. 3. 

20 Q. What did he say concerning Jesus Christ ? 
A. He declared that though Jesus came after him, 

yet he was not worthy to bear his shoes ; that he only 
baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the 
Holy Ghost and with fire; and he pointed him out in 
the midst of the people ; This is the Lamb of God that 
taketh away the sins of the world. John i. 29 — 34. 
Matt.nl 11. 

21 Q. How did he come to know Jesus Christ ? 

A. He had some notice given him privately from 
God, and he had a further public sign from heaven to 
confirm his knowledge of him. 

22 q. What was that public sign ? 

A. When Jesus was baptized by John at the river 
Jordan, the Holy Ghost came down like a dove, and 
vested upon him, as God had foretold him. Matt. iii. 
16, 17, and John i. 31—33. 






226 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 21. 

23 Q. Di»l the disciples of John immediately leave 
him, and follow Jesus? 

J. No J fur Jesus had not then begun hi^ public 
ministry. 

24 Q. How did John further recommend Jesus I 
to his disciples ? 

.A Some lime after he Bern* them to see the miracles 
that Jesus wrought, that they might be convinced that he 
was the Messiah. Matt.n\.6. 

25 ({. What became of John the bft] 

J. He was cast into prison by Herod. 
reproved him for taking Herod ias, hi Philip's 

wife. Matt. xiv. 3, 4. 

26 Q. Did not Herod hear John preach .some 
and reformed some of his evil practices upon it r 

A. Yes> he did ; and yet he was persuaded to put 
him to death at last, to satisfy the malice and revenge of 
this wicked woman. Mark vi. 20 — 29. 

27 Q. How came this to pass ? 

A. Upon Herod's birth-day, the daughter of Hero- 
dias pleased the king so well with her dancing, that he 
promised to give her whatever she asked ; and her moth- 
er bid her ask for John the baptist's head in a dish- 
Matt. xiv. 6—8. 

28 Q. And did Herod then comply with this bloody 
request? 

A. Yes; for he had sworn to it tx .t deal 

of company; and rather than break his rash and sinful 
oath, he would kill a prophet of God. Matt. xiv. 9 — 1 1. 

29 Q. What became of the body of John the bap 
A, His disciples took it up and buried it. 

30 Q. Whitner did his disciples u;o after* 

J. They Went and told Jesus what had befallen thotl 
master, and probably they became the disciples of Josua 
ver. 12. 



-Chap. 22. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 227 

CHAP. XXII. 

Of the Birth and Childhood of Jesus Christ 

1 Q. Who was Jesus Christ ? 

Ji. The Son of God, who came into this world to be 
the Saviour of men. 1 John iv. 14. John iii. 17. 

2 Q. What does the name Jesus Christ signify ? 

Ji. Jesus (which i§ his proper name) signifies a Sa- 
viour ; and Christ is the same in Greek tnat 'Messiah 
is in Hebrew, which signifies his being anointed, or ap- 
pointed to that office. Matt. i. 21. John i. 41. Psal. ii. 2. 

3 ^. Where did he dwell before he came into this 
world ? 

A. He dwelt with God his Father in a very glorious 
state before this world was made. John xvii. o, and 
chap.'i. 1, 2, 14. 

4 Q. In what manner did he come into this world ? 
Ji. He laid aside his glory, he took a body of flesh 

and blood, which God had prepared for him, and was 
born of Mary, who was a virgin, according to the pro- 
phecy of Isaiah. VhiL ii. 7. Heb.u. 14, and x. 5. Matt. 
l. 20, 23. Isa. vii. 14. 

5 Q. Who was this Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ? 
Ji. She was a poor young woman of the family of 

David, who was espoused to, or had consented to marry 
Joseph, a carpenter, who was also of the house of David, 
.that royal family being then fallen into decay. Matt. i. 
18, 20. Luke i. 32. Matt. xiii. 55. 

6 Q. Did Joseph marry her afterwards ? 

Ji. Joseph was admonished by an angel of God to 
marry her without fear, because the child that was form- 
ed in her was by the Spirit of God. Matt, i. 20. 

7 Q. What notice had Mary that she should have 
such a son ? 

Ji. The angel Gabriel was sent to her at Nazareth, 
syhere she dwelt, to assure her that the Power of the 
■most high God should overshadow her^ and that shd 






2S8 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

should bring forth a child who should be called the Son 
of God. Luke i. 26—35. 

8 ({. How was Mary further encouraged in thai hope ? 
A. While she \\a^ with -child with hei 

she went to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who was then 
with child with John the baptist : Elisabeth saluted 
her as the mother of the Messiah, and they were both 
inspired to praise the Lord with divine rapture?. Luke 
i. 39 — 55. 

9 ({. Where was Jesus Christ born r 

A. In Bethlehem the city of David, according 
prophecy of Micah. LvkeW.A. Matt ii. 5, (i. Micmh v. 2. 

10 Q. How came Mary to lie in at Bethlehem r 

A. Augustus Caesar, the emperor, had decreed to tax 
or register all the world ; and Joseph being of tip 
of David, went up with Mary In- espoused wife, to he 
registered or taxed in Bethlehem the city of David. 
Luke ii. 1 — 5. 

11 Q. What provision was made for her there ? 

A. A poor provision indeed: there was no reem for 
them in the inn ; she was lodged in a stable, ami 
she brought forth her son, she laid him in the n 
Luke ii. 17. 

12 Q. What special notices were given that tin- 
child was the Messiah, or Christ the kin^ of Israel ? 

A. Many notices were given of it by angel* and men, 
by Jews and Gentiles 

13 Q. What notice was given by angels thai ( 
was born ? 

A. An angel appeared to some shepherds by 
and sent them to find the babe in a manger at Bethlehem, 
Luke ii. 8—16. 

14 Q. What joy was shewn among the angels upon 
this occasion ? 

A. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God, 
saying, Glory to Hod in the high«st t ji 
good will toward* nun : and this the shepherds heard. 
ver. 13, 1-4. 

\5 ({. What testimonies were given to Jefi ( 
in his infancy by any of the ,!'• 



Chap. 22. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 229 

A. When lie was brought to the temple to be circum- 
cised, and presented to the Lord as the first-born, Simeon 
and Anna, two ancient persons among the Jews, bore 
witness to him. ver. 25, 26. 

16 Q. "What was the witness which Simeon bore to 
the infant Jesus ? 

Ji. It was revealed to him that he should not die be- 
fore he had seen the Messiah ; and he took Jesus up in 
his arms, and said, JVoic, Lord, let thy servant depart in 
peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, ver. 26 — 30. 

] 7 Q. What witness did Anna bear to him ? 

Ji. She was an aged widow, and a prophetess ; she 
gave thanks to the Lord concerning him, and spake of 
him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem, ver. 
36—38. 

18 Q* Who among the Gentiles received notice of 
the birth of Christ? 

A. Some wise men in the east had seen a new star, 
and they had some divine notice that a king of the Jews 
was born, and they came to worship him. Matt. ii. 1, 2. 

19 ({. How did they find out the house where Jesus 
was r 

ji. The star went before them, and stood over the 
place where the infant lay. ver. 9. 

20 Q. W T hat honour did they do him? 

A. They fell down and worshipped him, and present- 
ed him gold and spices, ver. 11. 

21 Q. What enemies or. dangers did Jesus meejt 
with in his infancy ? 

Ji. Herod the gre&t, who then reigned in Judea, hav- 
ing heard from the wise men that a king of the Jews was 
born, was filled with jealousy, and thought to destroy Je- 
sus, ver. 13. 

22 (3. What means did Herod use to destroy him ? 
Ji. He slew all the children that were in or near 

Bethlehem, under two years old. ver. 16. 

23 Q. How did the child Jesus escape ? 

Ji. Joseph, his supposed father, was warned by an 
angel to take they oung child and his mother and flee, 
into Egypt. ver. 13. 
21 



/' 



• 



£30 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ( ! 

34 O. When did Jesus return into the land 
rael ? 

.1. When Herod was dead, God sent a message bj 
in angel in a dream, to command Joseph and M 
return with himj m> they returned into Galilei 
dwelt in Nazareth, their city. 

25 Q. Was there any thing further remarkable in the 
childhood of J&tUfl : 

J]. When he was twelve years old he went up with 
his parents to the pass-over, according to their eastern : 
but when they returned, they missed their son. 
ii. 41 — 13. 

26 Q. Where did they find him ? 

A. They turned back to Jerusalem, and after 
days they found him in the temple, in the midst of the 
doctors, both hearing them, and asking them qui si 
per. 45, 40. 

27 ({. What reason did the child Jesus give for his 
conduct? 

•#. He told tliem, that they might have suppoe 
was about his father's business : but he went down with 
them to Nazareth, where he spent the rest of his child- 
hood, and was subject to his parents. Luke ii. 49 — .~>i 

28 ({. How did Jesus employ his younger yean I 

Jl. It is reported by the ancients, that he was 
brought up to his father's trade, who was a country car- 
penter, and that he made ploughs, and yokes for oxen | 
for Jesus •himself is called a carpenter. Mark 1 i. 



OHAP. XXIII. 

Of the public Life and Ministry of Christ, 

INTRI 
His Preparation for his public Work. 
\ Q. At what age did Jesus begin to appear in pub- 



Chap. 23. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 25 i 

A. At about thirty years of age. Luke iii. 23. 

2 Q. How was he prepared for his public work ? 

A. He was eminently prepared for it by his baptism, 
by the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him, by his retire- 
ment, and his temptations. Luke iii. and iv. 

3 Q. When was Jesus Christ baptized ? 

A. When John the baptist was sent with a commis- 
sion to baptize men, Jesus offered himself at the River 
Jordan to be baptized, that he might fulfil all righteous- 
ness, though he had no need to be washed from sin 
Matt iii. 1 4, 1 5. 

4 Q. What testimony did he receive from John the 
baptist ? 

A. John declared, that Jesus was the Lamb of God 
rvho would take away the sins of the world ; and that 
he himself, who baptized with water, was not worthy to 
loose the shoes of Jesus, because he was appointed to 
baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matt. iii. 11. 

5 Q. What miracle attended this baptism ? 

A. When Jesus came out of the water t the Spirit of 
God like a dove descended upon him, and a voice from 
heaven icas heard, saying, This is my beloved Son in 
whom I am well pleased. Matt. iii. 16, 17. 

6 Q. Whither did he go for his retirement after he 
was baptized ? 

A. He was led into the wilderness, not only to en- 
dure temptation, and conquer the tempter there, but 
probably to spend forty days in meditation and prayer, 
and converse with God ; as Moses, before his giving'the 
laws to Israel, spent forty days with God on Mount Sinai. 
Mark i. 12, 13. 

7 Q. Was this the place of his contest with the 
tempter ? 

A. Yes ; the devil assaulted him here with three pow- 
erful temptations. Matt. iv. 1 — 11. 

$ Q. What was the first temptation ? 

A. The devil persuaded him to turn stones into 
bread, because he was an hungred, having fasted forty 
days. 

9 Q. How did Christ answer him ? 



/'... 






232 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. (! 

A. By shewing him that man doth not live hi/ brtad 

alone, but hij the power and blessing of Qod. J hut. \ iii. 3, 

10 (j What was the second tempt; 

.7. The devil Bet him open a pinna' 1 - of the temple* 
and bid him cast himself down, tor there was 
in Psalm \ci. 1 1, that angi Is should bear him up, - 
he should receive no hurt. 

11 ({. flow did Jesus resist that temptation? 
*2. Ely shewing that we must riot tempt the ; 

deuce of (w>.i any way, Dent. vi. 16, and there!.' 
must not venture upon dangers withoii 

12 Q. What was the third temptation? 

„7. The devil promised to give him all the kin. 
of this world, if Jesus would fall down and worship him. 

13 Q. How was this temptation vanquished? 

J. By declaring that God only was to be worshipped. 
Deut. vi. 13, ana x. -20. 

14 Q. Whence did Jesus derive his answers to these 
several temptations ? 

»#. From several texts of Scripture which he cited 
upon this occasion, and all out of the book of Deuterono- 
my. 

15 Q. What token of honour from hea\en did Christ 
receive in the wilderness ? 

A. When the devil was disappointed and vanquished, 
and forsook him, the angels of God came and ministered 
unto him. 



Sect. I. Jesus Christ's Appearance with the Charac- 
ters of the Messiah* 

1G Q. We are conn- now to the public life and min- 
istry of Jesus Christ: let us hear what were the chief 
parts or designs of it ? 

J. The Erst design of hip public life and mi 
was, to appear in the world with the marks of a divine 
commission, and the character- of the Messiah UOO! 
him. 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY, 233 

17 Q. How did Jesus fulfil this first design of his 
public life and ministry? 

J§. He healed the sick, he raised the dead, be preach- 
ed the glad tidings of salvation to the poor, he set about 
the reformation of the world, and all this without noise 
or uproar ; and he received several testimonies from 
heaven. See these characters of the Messiah foretold 
by the prophets, Isa. xxxv. 4, 5, and lxi. 1, 2, and xlii. 
2. Mai. iiir 1, 2, 3, and exemplified in Christ, Matt. xi. 
3 — 5, and chap. v. \7 — 20, and xii. 19. 

18 Q. But did not Christ preach up his own charac- 
ter as the Messiah, or anointed Saviour ? 

A. Though he several times preached that he was 
sent from God ; yet he very seldom declared plainly 
that he was the Messiah ; and even forbid the men that 
knew it, to publish it at that time, nor would he suffer the. 
devils to declare it. Matt. xvi. 20. Mark r. 34. 

19 Q. Why did our Saviour so long abstain from de- 
claring that he was the Messiah who should come into 
the world ? 

A. Partly that men might learn his office and charac- 
ter in a rational way, and infer that he was the Messiah 
by his doctrine and his works ; and partly that he might 
not expose him to the rage of his enemies, and to death 
before his time. Luke vii. 19 — 23. 

20 q. What were some of the testimonies which 
Christ received from heaven in his life? 

A. Voices from heaven at several times; once at his 
baptism, which was mentioned before ; once among the 
people, in answer to his prayer f and once on the mount 
of transfiguration, when Moses and Elias came from. 
heaven to attend him. 

21 Q. What was that voice which came in answer to 
his prayer ? 

Jl. When Christ prayed in public that God his Father 
would glorify his name ; there was an answer came from 
heaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it ap-ain, 
John xii. 28. ° 

22 Q. What was the transfiguration ? 

&. Jesus went up into a high mountain with three o£ 









284 SCRIPTURE BISTORT. 

his disciples, his countenance waa changed all glorious, 
and his raiment shining like sun beams ; Moses and 
Elias appeared and conversed with him, and from a bright 
cloud broke forth a voice, This is my beloved Soit j 
him. Matt. xvii. 1 — 5. 



Sect. II. Of the Subjects of his Preaching, kit Par- 
ables and his Disputes. 

23 Q. What was the second part and design of bil 
public life and ministry. 

A. To preach and teach many necessary truths and 
duties to the people. Marie i. 38. Isaiah lxi. 1. Lukr 
iv. 18. 

24 Q. In what manner did our Lord Jesus Christ 
preach to the world, and teach mankind r 

A. He spake several things to them in public lemons 
or discourses, others in free conversation or di» 
sometimes he spake in plain language, at other th 
way of parable, or similitude. Matt. v. 2, S, lie anil 
-chap. xiii. 3. 

25 Q. Whai were some of the chief subjects of Mi 
Saviour's public preaching ? 

A. These that follow, namely, 

1. He explained the law of God in its full latitude 
as it reaches the thoughts, as well as words and actions, 
and rescued it from the grievous corruptions, the False 
glosses and mistakes of the Jewish teachers ; and by this 
means he convinced his hearers of sin, and shewed thein 
the need of a Saviour. Matt v. 6, 7. chap. \\. 12, l.>. 

2. He taught them the vanity of depending upon any 
outward privileges, a> being the children of Abraham ; 
he shewed them the- danger of putting ceremony 
forms of any kind, in the room of real and pi, 
godliness; he severely reproved the scribes and rha 

on this account : and assured men there w.i> no salvation 
for them, no entrance into heaven, without being 
again, or becoming new creatures, ^ee John m 



Sect 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 235 

chap. viii. 33 — 41. Matt. vii. 24. c/iap.viii. 12, and xxiii, 
13—33. 

3. He corrected several sinful customs and practices, 
with other foolish traditions among the people ; and re- 
proved the teachers of the law for mingling their tradi- 
tions and the inventions of men with the pure appoint- 
ments of God. Mark vii. 1 — 13. John ii. 13 — 17. Matt. 
v. vi. and vii. 

4. He called the people aloud to repentance of every 
sin, because the kingdom of the Gospel was at hand. 
See Matt. iv. 17. Luke v. 32. 

5. He gave particular directions for the practice of 
many duties, namely, spiritual worship, prayer, depend- 
ence upon God, hearing the word, giving alms, loving our 
neighbours, forgiving our enemies, &c. Matt. v. vi. vii. 
and xiii. 

6. He preached the Gospel, or the glad tidings of 
pardoning grace, to sinners who repented of their sins, 
and believed in him ; he promised the assistance of the 
Holy Spirit to them that asked it ot God ; he represent- 
ed himself as sent of God, and invited all men to come 
to him, and trust in him, that they might be saved. 
Luke iv. 18, 21, 22, and xi. 9—13. "Matt. v. 3—12, vii. 
7, &c. and xi. 28. John v. vi. vii. and viii. 

7. He revealed the things of the future and invisible 
world, the resurrection and the day of judgment, heaven 
and hell, beyond what the world had ever known before* 
2 Tim. i. 10. Matt. v. 8, 12. chap. xiii. and xxv. &c. 

8. He often foretold that the Jews would reject him 
and his Gospel, and should be terribly punished for it ; 
and he declared that the Gentiles would receive his Gos- 
pel ; and said many things to prepare the way of the 
Gentiles into the church or kingdom of the Messiah, 
because the Jews had such violent prejudices against 
their admission into it. Matt. viii. 12, and xx. xxu Luke 
xv. Matt xx. 40, 41, and xxiii. 38. 

9. He several times foretold his own death, his resur- 
rection, and his future glory, and his coming to raise the 
dead, and to judge the world. Matt. xxi. xxiv. and xxv. 
John v. 27— -29, xii, 23—34. MatU xii* 40. 



/' 



236 SCftlPTURE HISTORY. Cha] 

2G Q. Did Jesus Christ foretel all I - plain- 

ly and openly r 

.A What he spake by way of prophecy, in private i<> 
his disciples, he spake plainly : but what he bj 
kind in public to the multitude, was often (though not 
always) delivered in parables and similitudes. Mark iv. 
11, 32, S4. Matt. \\. 18- 

27 Q. But did not Christ teach the great and glo 
doctrine of his own death as a sacrifice or ransom for 
sinful men, in the course of his public ministry r 

A. He taught this privately to his disciples, to whom 
he spoke more freely of his death and resurrection to- 
ward the end of his life. Matt. \vi. 16 — 2£. But, 
wise reasons he did not preach publicly and plait 
the people of his own death or his resurrection, 
scarce ever preached in public and in plain Ian 
those great doctrines of Christianity that depen I 
his death or his resurrection : these things were wi^-lv 
reserved for the ministry of his apostles, alter i 
actually dead and risen, and ascended to heave 
had poured out on them the promised Spirit. Matt. \. 
27, and Luke x\iv. 45 — 59. 

28 Q. What were some of the most remarkable 
among the paraoles of Jesus Chrftt ? 

Ji. The parable of the sower and the seed ; of the 
tares in the field ; of the merciless servant : of t!, 
Samaritan ; of the labourers in the vineyard : of the w u k- 
ed husbandmen ; of the ten virgins; oi the improvement 
of talents; of the prodigal son; of the rich man and 
Lazarus the beggar. 

29 ({. What is the parable of the sower and the 
seed ? 

A. As the seed that is sown, falling on different 
of ground, brings forth more or less fruit, or no fruit at 
all; so when ministers preach the Gospel, the word be- 
comes more or h--s fruitful, or unfruitful, accord 
the good or evil In-art- of the hearers. Matt. xiii. I- 

30 q. What is the parable of the tares in the field t 
.i. As the enemy had sowed tares where the husband* 

man had sown wheat, and they were both sulfa 



Sect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 237 

grow together till the harvest, then the wheat was gath- 
ered into the barn, and the tares were burnt ; so the devil 
mingles his children with the children of God in this 
world, but at the day of judgment they shall be separa- 
ted ; the children of the devil shall be cast into a furnace 
of lire, and the children of God shall shine in the king- 
dom of their Father. Matt, xiii. 24 — 43. 

31 Q. What means the parable of the merciless ser- 
vant ? 

J. Though his lord forgave him ten thousand talents, 
yet he dealt cruelly with Ins fellow-servant who owed 
him but an hundred pence, and cast him into prison till 
he should pay it When the lord heard of it, he re- 
proved and imprisoned him till the payment of his debt; 
and thus the great God, who is ready to forgive us our 
innumerable sins, will deal with us, if we forgive not out 
brethren their offences against u% Matt, xviii. 21 — 35. 

32 Q. What parable is that which is called The good 
Samaritan? 

d. When a Jew was abused and stripped, and wound- 
ed by robbers, and left helpless, a priest and a Levite 
passed by, and neglected him, but a Samaritan took care 
of him, and carried him to an inn for his recovery. This 
Jesus spake to shew that the Samaritan treated Hie Jew 
as a neighbour ought to do, and that no differences of 
opinion should hinder us from actions of common hu- 
manity towards other men. Luke x. 30 — 36. 

33 Q. What is the design of the parable of the la- 
bourers in the vineyard ? 

A. The labourers who were called at the eleventh 
hour, through the great goodness of the master, received 
the same reward as those who were called in at the first 
hour; even so the Gentiles should be called into the 
church iy the latter days, and enjoy equal privileges with 
the Jews, who had been called many ases before them. 
Mm. xx. 1—16. 

34 Q. What is the parable of the wicked husband- 
men ? 

Jl. The owner of a vineyard let it out to husband- 
men, and going into a far country, first sent his servants* 



-' 



238 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CM. M 

and at last his son, to n ceive the fruits : but they l>«:*t 
and blew both the a^rvants and fpon which at 

the return of the owner, these husbandmen wered( 
ed, and the vineyard I I out to others: by which o 
viour (I ■ Jews brought no fruit to 

God, notwithstanding all their advantages; that 
abused his prophets, and would slay his Sou; that <i<>d 
would turn them out of his church, and 
the Gentile*. MatUnsJ. SS — !. ; . 

55 Q. What is the parable of the im virg 

Ji. Some of these virgins were wise, and some were 
foolish ; but they all slept while the bridegroom tarried, 
and at midnight when the bridegroom cai 
wise were something unprepared, but the foolish 
shut out from the wedding: whence* draws 

this advice; Watch ye, for ye know not the day or the 
hour when the Son of man eometh, Matt* or. I— 

56 Q. What is tne parable of the talents ? 

*#. Those servants who were entrusted with several 
talents, and had improved them, were rewarded in pro- 
portion to their improvement : but he who laid U] 
talent in a napkin, and made no improvement of if 
cast into outer darkness as an unprofitable servant. 
The plain design of this parable is, to shew the net I 
of diligence in the improvement of all our mercies and 
advantages. Matt. xxv. 14 — 50. Luke xix. 12 — 

57 Q. What is the parable of the prodigal 

A. The younger son of a family grew prodigal, and 
wasted his estatejn rioting abroad, while the eld< 
lived at home and served his father ; but upo 
of the prodigal, and his repentance, his father it. 
him with much compassion and joy: at which his elder 
brothei- was angry. So glial! the m'ercy of God be shews 
to the repenting Gentiles, when they shall forsake their 
sins and return to God, though the .lews will be envious 
and quarrel with this conduct of providence. 
xv. 11—32. 

58 ({. What is the parable <»(' the rich man and 
Lazarus ? 

J. The rich man, who spent his days in luxton 



Sect. a. . SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 239 

was cruel to the poor, died, and went to hell ; but Laza- 
rus, a beggar, was religious, and went to heaven. The 
rich man in his torments would fain have Lazarus sent 
to warn his kindred of their danger: but Abraham tells 
him, that if they will not hear JTose% and the prophets, 
neither will they be persuaded to leave their sins, though 
one rose from the dead. Luke xvi. 19 — 31. 

39 Q. How could the hearers of Christ understand 
these parables ? 

A. There were many of them which they did not 
understand : but when they were retired from the multi- 
tude, Christ expounded the parables to his disciples. 
Mark'w. 9— 12, 34. 

40 Q. Besides these public sermons and parables, 
had not Jesus Christ some conversation and disputes 
with several sorts of persons ? 

A. Yes ; he had some discourses with the multitude, 
and with his own disciples, which would be too long to 
repeat ; and besides these, he had also some debates with 
Nicodemus, with the woman of Samaria, with the Hero- 
dians, with the Sadducees, with the Pharisees, and doc- 
tors of the law, with the ruler of the synagogue, and the 
chief priests and elders of the people. 

41 Q. What was his discourse with Nicodemus ? 
A. He taught Nicodemus, who came to him by night, 

that a man must be born again ; that is, he must have 
his eld sinful nature renewed into holiness, if he would 
seethe kingdom of God: and that God sent his only 
begotten Son to save as many as would believe on him. 
John iii. 1 — 21. 

42 Q. What was our Lord's discourse with the 
woman of Samaria ? 

A. He told her of her living in the sin of fornication : 
and assured her, the time was just at hand when God 
would not regard persons ever the more on account of 
the places in which they worshipped him, whether it 
were at the temple of Jerusalem or Samaria ; but on the 
account of the spiritual worship which they paid him from 
their hearts ; and he let her know plainly that he was the 
Messiah. Johniv.7 — 26. 



' 



£40 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chip. 23. 

43 Q. "What discourse had Christ with the Herodi- 

aiis? 

J3. They inquired of him, whether it was lawful to 
give tribute to Cajsar? that if he denied it, they might 

accuse him to the Komans; it he asserted it, thej 
render him odious to the Jews, and particularly the 
Pharisees ; but Jesus gave them a very wise answer, and 
avoided their snares, by bidding them rend* 
the things that are Ccvsar's, and unto God the t 
that are God's. .Matt. xxii. 15—22. 

44 Q. What dispute had Christ with the S 

+1. The Sadducees thought to ridicule him about the 
doctrine of the resurrection, by inquiring, to which <>f her 
seven husbands a wife would belong in that day? But, 
as he proved the resurrection to them from the law ol 
Moses, so he assured them that there h rela- 

tion as marriage in that state. Matt. 23— 

45 Q. What disputes did our Saviour h<>Wl with the 
Pharisees and the scribes, and the teachers of the law ? 

Ji. He had many disputes with them about their ex- 
cessive fondness for ceremonies and traditions, wherein 
he shewed that they made void the law of God by their 
own invented tradition ; and that the duties of morality, 
righteousness, and goodness, were more valuable even 
than the ceremonies of God's own appointment, and are 
to be preferred where they may happen to interfere : for 
God will have mercy, and not sacrifice. .Matt. xv. 
1 — 20. chap, xxiii. and* xii. 1 — 7. 

46 Q. What was his debate with the ruler of the 
synagogue and other Jews - ; 

Ji. About his healing diseased persons *m the 
bath-day, at which they cavilled ; but he proved to them, 
that it was a very lawful thing; even from the care that 
God took of cattle on the saboath-day in the law of Mo- 
ses. Luke xiii. 14 — 17. 

47 ((. What controversy had Christ with the chief 
priests and elders of the people . : 

J\. About his own authority for preaching, wh< 
lie silenced them, by inquiring of them, what authority 



Sect 3. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 241 

had John the baptist, whom all the people had esteemed 
as a prophet ? Matt, xxi. 23 — 37". 



Sect. III. 37? e Miracles of Christ. 

48 Q. Thus we have finished the two first designs 
of the public life and ministry of Christ, namely, his 
appearing with the character of the Messiah upon him, 
and his teaching the people. What is the third con* 
siderable design of his public life and ministry ? 

Ji. To work miracles for the confirmation of his 
doctrine, and for the proof of his being sent from God 
to be the Saviour of the world. 

49 Q. What were some of the chief of the miracles 
which our Saviour wrought for this purpose ? 

Ji. These that follow : 

1 . He turned six vessels full of water into excellent 
wine. John ii. 7 — 11. 

2. He fed five thousand persons once with five 
loaves, and two small fishes ; and again, he fed four 
thousand with seven loaves, and at both times there 
were several baskets of fragments. Matt. xiv. and xv. 

3. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the dea£ 
speech to the dumb, strength and vigour to lame and 
withered limbs. Mark viii. John ix. Mark vii. 
Matt. xx. John v. 

4. He healed the leprosy, the fever, the palsy, the 
dropsy, and other distempers, by a word of command. 
Matt. viii. and ix. Mark i. Luke xiv. 

5. He walked on the water, and suppressed a storm 
at sea by a reproof given to the seas and winds. Matt. 
xiv. 25, and viii. 29. 

6. He delivered several persons from the possession 
ot the devil, by rebuking the evil spirits, and command' 
ing them to depart. Luke iv. Matt. viii. Mark i. 

7. He raised a few persons from the dead, namely, 
the ruler's daughter in the chamber, the widow's son in 
the street, as he was carried to his burial, and Lazarus 

22 



' 



8*2 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cha] 

was called out oChis grave when he had been dead four 
days. Mark ix. Lidce vii. John xi. 
50 ({. What is there remarkable in the 

of our Saviour ? 

J. These four things: 

1. That almost every wondrous work perforn • 
Christ was a work of love and ^<><nli ■ » many 
of the wonders of Moses were works of destruction. 

2. His miracles were very numerous, bo that man- 
kind could not be mistaken in all of them, though they 
should object against some. 

3. They were wrought in many pla< es <»1 tin- .!. 
nation, and several of them before the eyes of the mul- 
titude, who could attest them. 

4. They were such miracle- ;±- weie foretold should 
be wrought in the days of the Messiah; and the] 

he continually appeals to his miraculous v\<irk- for .» 
testimony of his commission from Clod. John \. 
chap. xv. 24, and xiv. 1 1. 



Sect. IV. Tkr Example of Christ, 

51 Q. Lf.t us proceed now and inquire, 

the fourth thing designed in the public life and mi 
of Christ ? 

./. To give an example to the world of mi- 
holiness and goodness. John xiii. 15. 1 Cor. \i. I. 
Rom. xv. .">. 

52 ({. What are some of the more remarkabl 
graces or duties, wherein ' 

example ? 
J. l. Ilf sought the public glon ith the 

appointmenl John viii. 

50, c;in}).\\Y\. A, and ii. 16, 17. Mat ■ 

■ 



Sect. 4. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 24S 

lie desired to be baptized ; he came to fulfil the law of 
God, and made it his meat and his drink. Matt. Hi. 15, 
and v. 17. John xiv. 31, chap. iv. 34, and vii. 10. 

3. He was frequent and fervent in religious exercises, 
prayer and praise. Luke vi. 12, and xi. 1, 2. Matt. xiv. 
25, and xi. 25. 

4. He was eminent for heavenly mindedness, self-de- 
nial as to the comforts of this life, and trust in God for 
his daily bread : he was so poor that the good women 
ministered to him out of their substance, and he had not 
where to lay his head. Luke ix. 58, and viii. 3. 

5. He bore the sorrows from the hand of God with 
the highest submission, and the vilest injuries from men 
with perfect patience and meekness ; not returning rail- 
ing for railing, but blessing those that persecuted him. 
1 Pet. ii. 21 — 23. Matt. xi. 29. Luke xxii. 42, and 
xxiii. 34. 

6. He gave the most glorious instances of goodwill 
to men, compassion to the miserable, and love to friends, 
to strangers, and to enemies. He often had pity on the 
multitudes that followed him ; he travelled about, and 
took all occasions to do good to the bodies and the souls of 
men : to their bodies, by his healing and feeding them ; 
and to their souls, by his preaching and conversation ; 
and at last he laid down his life for sinners. Acts x. 38. 
Matt. ix. 36, and xiv. 14. John xv. 13. Bom. v. G, 8, 10. 

7. He was obedient to his parents, paying them hon- 
our ; and obedient to magistrates, paying tax and tribute. 
Luke ii. 51. Matt xvii. 24. 

8. He was humble and familiar with the poor, and* 
even with publicans and sinners for their good. Matt. 
xi. 29, and ix. 11. He washed the feet of his own disci- 
ples. John xiii. 14. 

9. He was stedfast in resisting the temptations of the 
devil, and opposing the iniquities of men. Matt. xiv. 
1 — 11. Heb. ii. 18, and xii. 1, 2, Matt, xxiii. John 
ii. 13, &c. 

10o He was prudent and watchful against the snares 
of his enemies, and careful to give them no just occasions 
against him : this appears in the wisdjom of his discour- 



' 



244 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 23. 

sea, and his daily conduct. John vii. 1, and \i. J4 
Matt. xvii. 27. 



Sect. V. His calling the Apostles* and instructing 

the), i. 

55 Q. What was the fifth part of the business and 
design of his public ministry? 

A. To call !u^ apostles, and instruct them in their 
great commission of preaching the Gospel. 

54 9. How many preachers did our Saviour send 
forth ? ' * 

Ji. He first sent twelve, who were called ap 
whom he designed to make his chief ministers ; and he 
afterwards sent seventy through the land of [trad on 
the same errand of preaching the Gospel. Mutt, x. 1. 
Luke vi. 15, and x. 1. 

55 Q. What was the commission that * 
them all ? 

«#. To preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, and to 
cast out devils. Matt. x. 1 — 8. Luke x. 9, 17. 

56 Q. What were the names of the twelve apofi 

A. Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother, who were 
fishermen; James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who 
were also fishers; Philip and Bartholomew,' Thomas, 
and Matthew, the publican, who is also called Tievi ; 
James the son of Alpheus, who is called the Lord's 
brother ; and Jude the brother of James, 
Tailed Lebbeus and Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, 
who is called Zelotes;t and Judas [scariot, who after- 
ward betrayed his master. Matt. x. — -4. Luke vi. 
14 — 16. Gal. i. 19. 

^ Some suppose Bart holon ime with Nath 

t Simon was not a Canaanite bj nation, I 
all Jews* some therefore think it is <>nh the Hebrew i i 
word Cana. which -urni!'" - ;« Zealot, wilh Greek t< rn 
adek 'l. 



Sfect J. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 245 

57 Q. Had these messengers of Christ -success in 
their work ? 

J. Yes, they had some success; for the seventy* 
returned with joy, saving, Lord, even the devils are sub- 
ject unto us through thy name. Luke x. 17. 

58 q. How did he train up his twelve apostles for 
their future service ? 

J. They were very frequently attending upon him, 
and dwelt much with him, before and after their first 
mission abroad ; so that they enjoyed his private instruc- 
tions, his prayers, and his example continually. Matt. 
x. 27. Luke xi. 1. Mark iv. 34. 

59 Q. What peculiar instructions did he give his- 
apostlcs ? 

»#. 1. He explained the parables to them at home, 
which he spake to the people, and acquainted them in 
private what they should preach in public. Matt. x. 27. 
Mark iv. 34. 

2. He foretold they must expect difficulties and per- 
secutions, but he promised the aids of his Spirit, and his 
own presence with them, and a large reward in heaven. 
Matt x. 16 — 33, and xxviii. 20. 

3. i He charged them to love all men, and particularly^ 
to love one another ; and not to affect dominion and au- 
thority over one another, so particularly, as if he design- 
ed to preclude the popish errour of St. Peter being made 
the prince of tlie apostles. John xiii. 34, 35. Mark 
xx. 25. 

4. If any house welcomed and received them, they 
were ordered to pronounce the blessing of peace upon 
that house; but when any town refused to receive their 
message, they were commanded to shake off the dust of- 
their feet as a testimony against them. Matt. x. 11, 15. 
Luke x. 54, 55. 

5. He told them that he was the Messiah, and that 
he came to give his life a ransom for men, that he should 
be crucified and put to death at Jerusalem, and that he 
should rise again the third day. Matt. xvi. 16—22, and 
xx. 28. 

6. He prayed with them often, and taught them how 



' 



246 SCRIPTTRK HISTORY. 



uap. 



to pray, both in their younger and their more advanced 
state of .knowledge. Luke xi. I, See. John xvi. 

7. He gave (hem many admirable disco 

his death; he foretold tne destruction of Jerusalem; 
and indulged their presence with him in his most • 
lent prayer to God just before his suffi Matt. 

xxiv. John xiv. xv. xvi. ami xvii. 

8. He ordered them after his death to tarry a' 
salem till they should receive the promised Spirit 
them for their further service. Luke xxiv. A\). 

60 Q. "Were there any of these apostles that teemed 
to be his favourites r 

Ji. It* there were any, they were Peter, Jam< - 
John ; for they were admitted to be j resent in tin 
when he raised the ruler's daughter f and in the 
mount when he was transfigured ; and in 
when he sustained his agony: besides, thai John was 
called the beloved disciple, and leaned on Jesus's bosom 
at the holy supper. Mark v. 37, 38. Matt. xvii. 1. and 
xxvi. ST. John xiii. S3. 



Sect. VI. His appointment or Institution of the two 
Sacraments. 

61 Q. What is the last part of the public mil 
of Christ? 

J. His appointment of the two sensible ordinq 
which are called Sacraments, namely, Baptism, and the 
Lord's Supper. 

62 ((. When did he appoint baptism ? 

A. It is supposed that he confirmed and pra< 
the baptism of John in hi^ life-time, that is, the l>. 
of repentance lor the remission <>f sin- : but dou 
with this constant" requirement, that they should believe 
on him as a Prophet sent from God. See Matt, iii. I 1 
Acts xix. 4. Matt. iv. 17. John i\\ 1. 



Sect. 6. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 247 

It may justly be doubted^ whether our Saviour always from 
the beginning required the belief and profession of him to be 
the Messiah, as a necessary thing in order to become one of his 
disciples, and to receive his baptism, in those early days ; since 
he studiously avoided the preaching: up his own character as the 
Messiah, and concealed it from the public notice. Matt. x\i. 20. 
But after his resurrection, and new instituted form of baptism, 
none were to be baptized but those who professed Jesus to be 
the Christ, or the Messiah. 

65 Q. Did be make any alteration in the form of 
baptism afterwards ? - 

*#. After his resurrection, just before his ascension to 
heaven, he bid his disciples, Go teach all nations, bap- 
tizing: them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost. Mrdt. xxviii. 19. 

64* Q. When did he appoint the Lord's supper ? 

•8. The same night in which lie was betrayed, which 
was just after the feast of the pass-over, and a few hours 
before his death. 1 Cor. xi. 23. 

65 Q. How did Christ appoint this ordinance to be 
performed? 

Jl. Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and 
gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my 
body, which is broken for yon : and he took the cup, and 
gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of 
it, for this is my blood of the J\"ew Testament which is 
shed for many for the remission of si?is ; then he said, 
This do in remembrance of me; and afterward he sung 
an hymn. Matt. xxvi. 26. 1 Cor. xi. 24. 

66 Q. Do these ordinances of the Gospel come in 
the room of any of the ceremonies of the Jewish law ? 

A. It has been generally supposed that baptism comes 
in the room of circumcision, and the Lord's supper in 
the room of the pass-over : but the proof of this does not 
belong to this place. 

67 Q. How long is the ordinance of baptism to con- 
tinue ? 

A. Till the end of the world ; for our Saviour, upon 
giving his apostles and ministers commission to teach 
and baptize, promises to be with them to the end of the 
world. Matt, xxviii. 20. 



' 



243 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 23. 

68 Q. How long is the ordinance of the supper to 

continue ? 

J. He not only bid them do this in reraembrani 
him, but St. Paul saith, Hereby ye shew forth ttw LonP* 
death till lie come : that is. till Christ come t<> judg 
world. 1 < 



Sect. VII. Remarkable. Occurrence* in the I 
Christ. 

6§ Q. What other remarkable occurrences ai 
corded in the life of Christ, besides those that ha\- 
mentioned ? 

Jl. These that follow, namely, 

1. When Jesus Christ healed the - 

turian at Capernaum, he only sent a message of h< 
by his master, without going near him himself, to 
that he had power over diseases at a distance, and could 
command them to depart. Matt. viii. 5 — 13. 

2. When he cast many devils out of the man of 
Gadara, who lived among the tombs, the devils asked 
leave to enter into a herd of swine; and when 
permitted them, they drove the herd of swine do 
steep place into the sea, and drowned them ; upon 

the people desired Christ to depart out of their < 
Mark v. 1 — 17. 

3. When Jesus healed the man of the pal 33 
■/.areth, his own city, he forgave his -ins, and then 1 ured 
his distemper, as a proof of his power to forgive Bin. 
Matt. ix. 1—8. 

4. When the woman came to be cured <>f her bleed- 
ing, with a strong belief of his power and mercy, ^he 
only touched the hem of his garment, and Jesus pro- 
nounced that her faith had made her whole. Matt. IX. 
20—22. 

5. He went through a corn-field with his disci] ' 
the sabbath, and defended them in their plu< I 

of corn, and rubbing, and eating, from the accusation of 



Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 249 

the Pharisees, who pretended this was a breach of the 
sabbath. Matt xii. 1—3. 

6. When the Jews demanded a sign of him, he re- 
fused to give them any but the sign of the prophet Jonah, 
that as Jonah ivas three days and nights in the whale's 
belly, so the Sou of man should be three clays and nights 
in the grave. Matt. xii. 38 — 40. 

7. When he was told that his mother and his breth- 
ren stood without, and wanted to speak with him, he 
took occasion to say, that whosoever should do the will 
of his Father, were indeed his nearest relations, his 
brother, his sister, and his mother. Matt. xii. 46—50. 

8. Though he wrought many miracles in his life, jet 
he wrought but few of them in his own country, because- 
they despised him as the son of a carpenter, and would 
not believe in him. Matt. xiii. 54 — 58. 

9. When Jesus walked upon the water towards his 
disciples in a storm, he called Peter out of the ship to 
walk upon the water too, and reproved him for his fear- 
fulness and unbelief when he began to sink. Matt xiv. 
24—32. 

10. Ke commended Peter for his confession of him 
as the Son of the living God, and promised to build his 
church upon this rock, this confession of Peter: but 
presently after he told his disciples of his sufferings and 
death, and reproved Peter severely for wishing that 
Christ might not suffer and die. Matt, xvk 16—23. 

11. When tribute money was required of him at 
Capernaum, he sent Peter to catch a fish, and told him 
he should find money in the mouth of it, which he did, 
and paid it to those that gathered the tax. Matt xvii. 
24—27. 

12. When little children were brought to him that 
lie should touch them, his disciples rebuked those that 
brought them : but Jesus took them in his arms and 
blessed them, and said. Of such is the kingdom of God. 
Mark x. 13—16. 

13. When a rich young man inquired of him what he 
should do to obtain eternal life ? he tried him by saying, 
keep the commandments, or do this and live ; for the 



r:^- 



SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi 

man that doth them shall live by them : U 

But when the young man \\a> so confident <»i his own 

righteousness, ami so little sensible <>! his imperii 

as to reply, All these hope I kept from my youth : what 

do I lack more/ Our Lord then put him to a further 

trial, bid him sell what estate he had, give to the p"<>r, 

and follow him as one of his disciples. At tl 

young man went away 6orrowful t because he had 

possessions: whence Jesus took occ;i- 

hara for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

JIatt.x'ix. 16—24. 

1-4. When James and John desired to be made chief 
in his kingdom, and to sit on his right hand and on hi- hit, 
Jesus took occasion to suppress ambition amongst all his 
disciples, and said, Whoever will be chief t 
let him be your servant : as the Son of mail came not to 
be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for 
many. Matt. xx. 20 — 28. 

15. As he was travelling from Galilee to Jems 
Samaria lay in his way, and when the Samaritans would 
not receive him, some of his disciples would have called 
for fire from heaven upon them, as ElitU did : bin 
verely reproved them, saying, they knew not who' 

ner of spirit they were of; for the Son of man came 
to save men's lives, and not to destroy them. Luke i\. 
51—56. 

16. When our Saviour was entertained at Bethany, 
he gently reproved Martha for being too much cumber. d 
with care to entertain and feast him, and commended 
her sister Mary, who sat at Jesus's feet, and heard his 
words: Mary hath chosen that good part which shad 
not be taken away from her. . -4 t 

17. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the di i 
went to the grave in company with Martha and 
liis two sisters, and several Jews: he bid them take 
the stone from the mouth of the cave and prayed 
Father, and then commanded Lazarusto come forth, who 
had been dead four days; and Lazarus obeyed hit 
came forth. John \\. 

18. The Jews us:ed to travel on ("»>t from pi 



Sect. 7. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 251 

place, vet when he went up to the last feast at Jerusalem, 
he rode into the city upon the colt of an ass, that the 
prophecy of Zechariah might be fulfilled, Zech. ix. 10, 
and a great multitude attended him as in triumph, crying, 
Hosannah to the. Son of David ; so that the children 
learned the song, and repeated it v in the temple. Matt 
xxi. 1 — 6. 

19. When he found in the temple those that sold 
oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, 
he made a scourge of small cords, and drove them all 
out of the temple, and overthrew the tables, with the 
money on them : and said, It is written, my house shall 
be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den 
of thieves, and he went out of the city, and lodged that 
night at Bethany. Matt xxi. 12, 13, 17. 

20. When he returned from Bethany the next morn- 
ing, he cursed a fig-tree that had only leaves and no fruit 
on it, to shew the doom of fruitless professors of religion ; 
and presently the fig-tree withered away. This is said 
to be the only miracle of destruction that Jesus wrought, 
for all the rest were miracles of goodness. Matt 

- xxi. 17—20. 



Conclusion of this Chapter. 

70 Q. After we have heard this brief account of the 
transactions of the life of Christ, tell me what was the 
suni of that religion which Christ taught during his life ? 

A. It consisted chiefly in these few articles : 

1. He confirmed the doctrine of the one true God, 
and the revelation of his mind and will to men by Moses 
and the prophets. 

2 He explained the moral law, and enforced the ob- 
servance of it forever; and summed it up in short in two 
great commandments, namely, Love God with all your 
heart, and-love your neighbour as yourself. 

3. He continued the observance of the ceremonial 
law for the present, that is, wheresoever it did not inter- 
fere with the duties of the moral law ; but where it did 



252 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 21 

interfere, he taught that the moral law was always t«> 1>« 
preferred. 

4. He required repentance for sin, and faith in him- 
self, as the great Prophet who came to reveal the 

of God to man, both for the pardon of his sin, and eternal 
life. 

5. He appointed the profession of hi> religion to be 
made by baptism, to denote the washing away oiou 

and our being renewed to holiness by the Spirit of God* 

6. Just before his sufferings and death, he appointed 
the feast of the Lord's supper, as a constant memorial of 
his dying for the sins of men, and our partaking of tin- 
benefits thereof. Matt. xxvi. IT — 31. 1 Cor. x. 1G, 17. 

JVo/e. This dispensation during the life of Chri 
4lium between the Jewish and Christian dif 



CHAP. XXIV. 

Of the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension 
of Christ. 



Sect. I. Of his Sufferings, Death, and Burial. 

1 Q. When Jesus had instituted his holy supper, 
where did he go ? 

J. He knew that the hour of his suffering i 
hand, and he went with his disciples into a neighbouring 
garden in Gethsemane, where he sustained ereal and 
grievous agonies and sorrows in his soul. Mutt* 
xxvi. 38, 59. 

2 Q. How did it appear that his anguish wi 
great r 

Ji. It is written of him, that he began tit be Sore amax- 
ed and very heavy, or overburdened. He told his dtaci- 
ples that his sou! u as exceeding sorrowful, even 
death ; and under this agony or sharp couth- I 



1<J 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 2#3 

was like great drops of blood falling down to the ground, 
Mmrk xiv. 33, 34. Luke xxii. 44. 
3 q. What was the cause of these sorrows and ago- 

Jk. They could not arise merely from the tears ot 
death, or being nailed to a cross ; for then he would not 
have been a fit example of courage and patience to his 
disciples and followers, some of whom have suffered the 
same death of the cross, without such overwhelming ter- 
rors and fears as Christ discovered. It has been general- 
ly supposed therefore, and with very good reason, that 
these agonies of his soul arose from a sense of the anger 
of God for the sins of men, some way manifested to him : 
jerhaps also increased by the temptations of evil angels, 
_"6r it pleased God to briiise him, and make his soul an 
offering for sin. Luke xxii. 53. Isa. liii. 6, 10. And 
it is evident the powers of darkness were let loose upon 
him. Luke xxii. 53. John xiv. 30. 

4 Q. What did Jesus do in these agonies ? 

A. He prayed three times earnestly, that, if possible, 
this hour might pass from him; his innocent human 
nature being afraid of such sharp and smarting sorrows; 
yet he submitted himself to the wisdom and will of his 
Father, K Mark xiv. 35, 36. 

5 Q. What assistance had he to support him under 
this agony ? 

A. There appeared an angel from heaven, encourag- 
ing and strengthening him. ver. 43. 

6 Q. Where were his disciples at this time ? 

A. He had withdrawn to a little distance from the 
rest of his disciples ; but Peter, James, and John, were 
nearest to him, Mark xiv. 32, 33 ; yet they could not 
help him ; and indeed they fell asleep part of the time. 
ver. 37. 

7 ^. Was Judas the traitor with the rest of the 
disciples in the garden ? 

Ji. Judas had privately departed from them just af- 
ter the pass-over, and having agreed with the chief priests 
-and elders for thirty pieces of silver to betray him into 
the hands of their officers, he was now at hand with a 
23 



Sf4 SCRIPTURE BISTORT. Chi 

band of men, with weapons and tor mplish 

his design, and betray his Master. Markjii.43. Matt. 
x X v i. 14—1 6. 

8 ((. How came the rulers of the Jewa to be M much 
-offended with Christ asto seek to destroy him. 
J. For several reasons, namely, 

1. Because he being a poor man in Israel, and the 
supposed son of a carpenter, owned himself to be the 
Messiah, whom they expected to be an earthly king, and 
io deliver them from subjection to the Romans. 

2. Because in his sermons, and in his whole condoi t. 
he endeavoured to reform those corruptions winch th«- 
priests and teachers, and rulers of the Jews, had brought 
into their religion. 

3. He had foretold the anger of God against them 
and their nation, in some of his parable* pretty plainly. 
for their great sins, and for their rejection of hi* mini- 
try. 

4. They envied him, because many of the people fol- 
lowed him. 

9 Q. How did Judas give notice to the officers which 
was Jesus ? 

J. He gave them a sign that he would ki^s him ; and 
.accordingly, when he came to him, he said, Bail Mat 
pud kissed him. Matt, xxvi. 48, 49. 

10 Q. Was there any resistance made for the relief 
of Christ ? 

J. Simon Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, th< 
priest's servant ; but Jesus hid him nut up his sword, 
and healed the man's ear with a touch. L J 
51. John xviii. 10. 

11 Q. Did Christ shew any further in- 
divine power on this occasion? 

J\. When they asked for Jesus, he answered / am he ; 
and they went backward, and fell to the ground. John 
xviii. 5, 6. 

12 q. Did they yet after this, persist to lay hand 
•niii ; 

.J. Yes ; they took him and carried him away to I 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. %o$ 

phas the high priest's house, where the scribes and elders 
were assembled. Matt. xxvi. 57. 

13 Q. What became of his disciples ? 

J. They all forsook him and fled, as Christ foretold 
them they would do. Matt. xxvi. 31, 56. 

14 I. What did Peter do, who particularly boasted 
of his love and courage ? 

JL Peter followed him afar oft*, into the high priest's 
hall, but there for fear of suffering, he shamefully denied 
his Lord and Master thrice, and that with swearing and 
cursing. Mark xiv. 70 — 7% 

1 5 Q How was Peter brought to conviction and re- 
pentance for this sin ? 

A. When Jesus heard Peter a little before boasting 
of his zeal and courage, he foretold him, that he should 
deny him thrice before the cock crowed twice; and 
when Peter heard the cock crow, Jesus, standing now 
before the high priest, turned and looked upon him ; and 
his heart melted within him ; and he went out and wept 
bitterly. Mark xiv. 2. Luke xxii. 61, 62. 

1 6 ^. What accusation did they bring against Christ ? 
Jl. Several false witnesses accused him about words 

that he spake ; but they agreed not together, and there- 
fore they could not find sufficient cause to condemn him, 
though they sought it earnestly. Mark xiv. 56. 

17 Q. How did they condemn him at last ? 

A. The high priest asked him t Art thou the Christ the 
Son of God? And Jesus said, I am; and ye shall sfee 
the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and 
coming in the clouds of heaven. Whereupon they con- 
demned him as worthy of death for blasphemy. Mark 
xiv. 61—64. 

18 Q. Did they then put him to death immediately? 
A. The Jews being under the government of the 

Romans, had not the full power of life antl death in their 
own hands ; but they shewed their spite against him by 
many indignities offered to him, and never left till they 
had procured a sentence of death against him from the 
Roman governor. 

1 9 Q. What were these indignities ? 



SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

./. They suffered their officers to mock and insult 
iiim, to smite and spit upon him, to blind I 
bullet him: then they bound him and delivered him to 
Pontius Pilate the Roman governor. .V 
and st, 1. 

20 ({. What became of Judas the traitor, v. h< 
saw the priests had conden 

J. ][<■ repented of his treachery, and I 
thirty pieces of silver to the priests : lie wei 
hanged himself; and falling down, his body burst, and 
his bowels fell out Matt, xxvii. l — 5. 

21 ({. What did Pilate determine concen 

A. Pilate found him to be an innocent man, and thai 
the priests and elders had accused him out of envy, and 
therefore he would fain have released him. Mm 
9, 10, and Luke xxiii. A. 

28 ({. How did Pilate propose to when 

he was charged as so gre 1 by their i 

tions ? 

A. It was the custom at the pass-over, to i 
prisoner, and he offered ' 
season. Mark xv. 6 — 9. 

23 Q. Did the Jews accept ol 

Jl. No; they chose rather to have Rarabb 
who was a robber and a murderer, and dert 
to be crucified, ver. 7, 11, 13. 

24 (J. Did Pilate yield to their demands? 
J. Yes, at last 

had scourged Jesu 

even against his own consciew 

25 q. How came Pil 
an innocent man ? 

Ji. He did it | 

ed Christ whotlid not d 
xv. 15. John xix. I 

26 <(. What furthei 
iour? 

J. They stripped him of I 
on him a scarlet robe in mocke 



Sect. 1. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 257 

ny himself to be the King of the Jews; they platted a 
crown of thorns and put It on his head, with a reed in 
his right hand ; they bowed the knee before him, and 
mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! they 
smote him with a reed, and spit upon him. Mark xv. 
IT— 19. 

27 Q. How did the blessed Jesus carry it under all 
these affronts ? 

A. Being reviled he reviled not again, but stood be- 
fore his accusers and his judges as an innocent lamb 
stands silent before the shearers; and made very few 
replies to all their accusations, charges and inquiries. 
Mark xiv. 61.' Acts viii. 32. 1 Pet.il 23. 

28 Q. In what manner did they crucify him ? 

A. They put Ins own garments on him again, they 
carried him to Calvary, the place of execution, and there 
they nailed him on the cross ; where they also crucified 
two malefactors, one on his right hand, and the other on 
his left. Mark xv. 20. Luke xxiii. S3, 

29 ({. Did our Saviour then make no resistance, nor 
give a rebuke to their wicked cruelty ? 

J. He only prayed for them, and said, Father for- 
give them, for they know not what they do. Luke 
xxiii. 34. 

30 Q. What was the inscription set over his head ? 
A. This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, 

and it was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. John 
xix. 19. 

31 Q. What affronts did he suffer on the cross ? 

A. When the soldiers had cast lots for his garments,, 
the rulers mocked him, many of the Jews reviled him, 
and so did one of the thieves, that was crucified with 
him. Luke xxiii. 34- — 39. 

32 Q. How did the other thief carry it towards 
him ? 

A. He rebuked his fellow, acknowledged his own, 
guilt, and the innocence of Christ ; he prayed that Jesus 
would remember him when he came into his kingdom, 
Luke xxiii. 40 — 42, 
23* 



25$ SCRIPTURK HISTORY. 



nap. 



33 Q. What answer did Christ make to bii 

and prayer? 

A. Jesus said, Ferity, to-day shaft thou In- irith mt 
in paradise n r. 43. 

34 ^. What respect did Jesus pay to his • 
Mary, when he .-aw her near the crosf 

A. lie commended hot- to the care <»i" fohn, his be- 
loved disciple; and from that time John to 
o*vn house. John xix. 26, 17. 

35 Q. What were some of the la 
on the cross ? 

Ji. He cried out, My God, my God, why hati 
forsaken me? And a little alter he said, Itisfi\ 
then he cried with a loud voice, Father, into thy I 
commend my Spirit, and died i 
34. Luke xxiii. 46. John xix. 

36 Q. What remarkable occurrences attend* 
death of Christ r 

A. 1. At the sixth hour there was 
whole land till the ninth; that is, from noon till 
o'clock in the afternoon. Mark xv. SS. 

2. The vail of the temple, which divide 

place from the holy of holies, was rent from the top to 
the bottom. 

3. There was an earthquake, the 

graves were then opened, and many of the pioua 
arose after his resurrection, and a] ; 
persons in Jerusalem. Matt, xxvii. 5 I 

4. The centurion who guarded 
Christ, seeing these things, was constrain* 
Surely this man was the aon 

57 Q. What was done to the body of h - 
death ? 

*/?. When they broke the legs of the thieves whf 
were crucified, that they might i\\c rod be 

taken down from the cross before the 
not the legs of Jesu>, because he \ : but 

.a soldier pierced his side with a spear, and 
blood and water. John xix. SI- 

38 Q. How was Jesus buried ? 



Sect % SCRIPTCRE HISTORY. 259 

Jl. Joseph of Ariftiathea, a rich man, went to Pilate, 
begged the body of Jesus, wrapped it in clean linen, 
with spices, laid it in his own new tomb, and rolled a 
great stone to the door of the sepulchre. Mark xv. 
43 — 46. Luke xxiii. 56. John xix. 40. 

39 Q. What was done by the enemies of Christ to 
secure him from rising again ? 

A. The Jews desired Pilate to set a guard of soldiers 
about the sepulchre ; and, that they might know if the 
tomb had been opened, they sealed the stone that was 
rolled to the door of it. Matt. x.v. Li. 62—66. 



Sect. II. Of the Resurrection and Appearances of 
Christ. 

40 Q. How did Jesus arise from the dead ? 

Jl. Early on the first day of the week there was a 
great earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone from 
the door and sat upon it, his countenance was like light- 
ning, and his raiment white as snow; the keepers 
shook for fear, and Jesus rose and departed. Matt. 
xxvii. 1 — 4. 

41 Q. What was the first notice the apostles of 
Christ had of his resurrection ? 

Ji. Early in the morning after the sabbath, some 
good women came to bring spices and ointments, to 
anoint the body, and they found the stone rolled away 
from the sepulchre ; and an angel told them Jesus was 
risen; and bid them go tell his disciples. Mark svi. 
1—8. 

42 <?. Which of the apostles came to the sepulchre 
to examine this matter ? 

A. Peter and John both went to the sepulchre, and 
found the linen clothes and the napkin, in which the 
body was wrapped, and were convinced that Jesus was 
risen. John xx. 1 — 10. 

43 Q. What story did the Jews tell concerning the 
resurrection of Christ ? 



200 Scripture history. 

A. Whet the guards told the < hief pries 
done, flu 1 priests and elders bribed them lai 
that while they fell asleep, his <li»< iples » ai 
and stole him away. .Watt. xxviiL 1 1 — IS. 

44 Q. How then < 1 1 * 1 the soldiers come i 
governor ? 

A. The priests persuaded the g 
them for sleeping, per. 1-4. 

45 Q. To whom did Jesus appear after his n 
rection r 

A. First to Mary Magdalen : afterwards to 
eiples going to Emraaus : then to the apostles iss 
without Thomas; and all this on the day of his 
rection: afterwards he appeared t<> 
Thomas was with them ; again at the - 
seven of his disciples; then to eleven of his disci] 
a mountain in Galilee; then near Jerusalem ww 
ascended to heaven. 

46 Q. How long did he continue on earth aft 
resurrection r 

Ji. He continued forty da 
further instructions in the great tin. ; 
which they were not prepared to i 
death. Acts i. 3. John x \ i . 1 :. 

47 Q. How did lie appear to Mary Magdalen r 

Jl. When she found not Jesus in the tomb, Bhe tin ti- 
ed away from the sepulchre, and - 
knew bun not till he called her by her name. 
14, 16. 

48 q. What did he say to her r 

J3. Touch me not a< present, but i r < ( to m 
and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, 
to my God and your Hod. per. IT. 

49 ({. How \lid he appear t<> his two dis< 
to Emmaus? 

J. He joined himself to them as they \\t i 
he reproved them I i their uiibelii I ': he proved to them 
out of the prophets thai the Messiah was to - 
and to enter into glory j he went into the ho 



Sect. 2. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 261 

with, them ; and when they began to know him, he van- 
ished out of their sight. Luke xxiv. 13 — 31. 

50 Q. How did he reveal himself to the apostl^ 
when Thomas was absent, the same evening ? 

Jl. When the doors were shut fur feat* of the Jews, 
Jesus came and stood in the midst of them; he blessed 
them, and gave them a commission to preach the Gospel ; 
he breathed on them, and bid them receive the Holy 
Ghost. John xx. 19 — 23. 

51 Q. How did he appear to them when Thomas 
was with them ? 

A. A week after, Jesus stood in the midst of them 
again, when the doors were shut, and bid Thomas see 
and feel the marks of the nails in his hands, and of 
the spear in his side, and rebuked his unbelief. John 

xx. 24— sr. 

52 Q. Did Thomas confess him then? 

J. Thomas with surprise and joy acknowledged him ; 
he broke out into a rapture of zeal and worship, and said 
to him, J\Iij Lord, and my God. ver. 28. 

53 Q. How did he shew himself to them at the Sea 
of Tiberias. 

J. Some of.them went a fishing, and caught nothing 
all night: Jesus stood on the shore^in the morning, and 
bid them cast the net on the right side of the ship ; and 
they tooLa multitude of fishes. John xxi. 1 — 6. 

54 Q. What remarkable occu rrence happened at 
this mec 

A. When they knew it was the Lord, Peter cast 
himself into the sea ; and when they were come to the 
shore, they eat some broiled fish, and Jesas eat with them. 
John xxi. T, 13. 

55 Q. How did Jesus reprove Peter for his want of 
love to him, and denying his Master? 

d. He rebuked him in a very gentle manner of 
speech, by asking Peter three times, whether he loved 
him or no, and then he foretold that Peter should love 
him so well as to suffer and die for his sake. ver. 15-19. 
* 56 <^. How did he anpear to them on the mountain 
in Galilee? 



262 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chq 

A. Jesus appointed them to meet htm there : he told 
them that all power in heaven ami earth was given into 
his hands; he gave them their commission tn preach the 
Gospel to all nations; and promised • with 

them, and a power to work mira les, lor the vindication 
of their doctrine. Jlatt. wviii. 16 — £0. 



Sect. III. Of his Ascension to Heaven, 

57 Q. How did he manifest himself to them near 
Jerusalem r 

A. He met them, and led them out as 
Mount Olivet, near Bethany ; he hid them to tarrj 
rusalem till the promised Spirit should fall upon I 
he repeated their commission, appointed them to : 
nesses for him in the world; and having bleated them, 
he ascended to heaven in a bright cloud. Luk- 
49—51. Acts \ 4—11. 

58 ({. Did he not appear to five hundred bi- 
at once ? 

A. St. Paul asserts it, 1 Cor. xv. G, ami 
ther the first nor the last time of his «•, but 

when it was is uncertain. *ict* i. 12. 

59 ((. What notice was there given from bev 
his return again ? 

A. While they were gazing towards heaven, 
angels appeared, and assured then, that they shou 
him retain in the same manm 
i. 10, 11. 

60 Q. Whither went the dis< 

./. They worshipped Christ when he 
heaven, and returned to Jerusalem wi 
ing Ood. Luke x\iv. 5 L 2, 53. 



Chap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 263 



CHAP. XXV. 

Of the Acts of the Apostles, chiefly Peter and John, and 
the Deacons, Stephen and Philip. 

1 Q. What was the first remarkable thing the 
apostles did toward their future ministry, after they re- 
turned to Jerusalem ? 

A. They chose two out of their company at Jerusa- 
lem, (which was one hundred and twenty) that one of 
them might be an apostle and ivitness of the resurrec- 
tion of Christ, in the room of Judas the traitor. Acts 
i. 15—22. 

2 Q. How did they determine which of those two 
should be the man ? 

A. They called on the Lord by prayer, then cast lots,, 
and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was numbered with 
the eleven apostles. Acts i. 24 — 26. 

3 Q.- How long did they wait for the promised Spirit 
to fall on them ? 

A. On the day of pentecost, which was ten days after 
the ascension of Christ, the Spirit of God was sent down 
upon them. Acts ii. 1, &c. 

4 Q. In what manner did the Spirit come upon them ? 
A. The house where they were met was filled with 

the sound of a rushing wind, and cloven tongues of fire 
appeared as sitting on all their heads, ver. 2, 3. 

5 Q What was the first effect of the descent of the 
Holy Spirit upon them ? 

J. They all spake with various tongues the wonder- 
ful works of God, to the amazement of the Jews, and a 
multitude of proselytes of all natioas that were then at 
Jerusalem, ver. 4 — 11. 

6 Q. Which of the apostles seemed to be the chief 
speaker at that time,. and what was their doctrine ? 

A. Peter preaches to this multitude, bears witness to 
the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, and the pour- 
ing out of the Spirit of God on men ; partly from his 



264 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

own knowledge, and from these present visible i 
thereof among diem, and partly from the prophecies and 
promises of Scripture ; he leads them i<» Ul 
viowr and Lord, calls them to repentance of their sins, 
and a profession of their faith in Jesus, by being baptized 
in his name. ver. 14 — -41. 

7 Q. What success had thi< sermon ? 

•9. Three thousand Bouls were added to the dil 
Of Christ, and baptized on that da v. ver. 11. 

8 Q. What was the temper oi spirit which w 
mirable in these primitive converts ? 

A. A spirit of devotion toward God and Christ, with 
a spirit of benevolence and intimate friendship t«i\\ ird 
eacli other; so far, that they were daily in tin- temple 
praising God ; they were most frequently, or rather < •*- 
[inually engaged in prayer, and in rememberii 
death of Christ, by breaking bread with joj 
so liberally distributed to the poor, that none 
want. These were the glorious effects of Christianity 
in its first appearance, ver. 42 — A? . 

9 Q. How did the apostles effectually | 
doctrine, and their commission to preach I 

J\. By doing many signs and wonders amoi _ 
people, which were the gifts of t'i,. 
from a risen Saviour, ver. S3 — 43. 

JVo/e. This av.-l? the proper beginning 
Christ, or the Christian Dispj 
in tin m orld in il- -' 
ter tl" 
ment of flu- world i.:. I 

10 Q. "What remarkable mi 
Peter and John at the ten 

»'i. A beggar that was born n r; 
use of his lii 
the nan '< iii. l — !>. 

11 O. What use was mad* !eh 
±Q. Peter I ion from i: (>• preachQiis 

doctrine, namely, the resurrtM 
tion in his name, citing tin' an< 
it. Arty.nl \:~ 



Chap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 265 

12 Q. What was the effect of this sermon ? 

A. Five thousand were converted by it to the faith 
of Christ ; but the priests and rulers put the apostles in 
prison. Acts iv. 1 — 4. 

13 Q. What defence did the apostles make when 
they were brought the next day before the priests and ■ 
rulers ? 

A. They took courage again, and preached to this 
court the doctrine of the Gospel of Christ; and silenced 
their enemies, by having the cripple that was healed 
stand among them. ver. 5 — 14. 

14 Q. What became of them after this their de- 
fence ? 

A. They were dismissed, and charged to preach no 
more in the name of Jesus ; but Peter and John declared 
they would obey God rather than man. ver. 15 — 20. 

15 ((. Whither went the apostles after their dis- 
charge ? 

A. They went to their own company, and gave glory 
to God in prayer and praise ; and their whole assembly 
was filled with the Holy Ghost, and boldly spake the 
word of Gorl. ver. 23 — 31. 

16 ({. What remarkable instance of goodness and 
compassion was practised by these first believers ? 

A. The souls of all of them were so united in love 
to Christ, and one another, that they sold their posses- 
sions and goods, and threw all into a common stock, 
which the apostles divided to every man according to his 
need. Acts iii. 44, 45, and iv. 32 — 35. 

17 Q. Were they all faithful and honest in bringing 
the price of their estates to the joint-stock ? 

A. There was one Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, 
who sold a possession, and secretly withheld part of the 
money, though they declared they had paid it all in. 
Acts v. 1, 2. 

18 Q. Did they meet with any punishment for this 
their hypocrisy and deceit ? 

A. Peter charged them with lying to the Iloh.i frhnst, 
-and struck them both dead with his word. ver. ' — 10. 

19 /J. What effect had this upon the multitude ? 

24 



266 SCRIPTIRR HISTORY. Chi] 

A. It discouraged others that were in the church 
from practising the like deceit, and frightened hjp 
from coming into the church merely in hopes ut a main- 
tenance, ver. 1 1 . 

20 Q. What other miracles were wrought by tin- 
apostles ? 

A. Multitudes of Bick were healed, and those that 
were possessed with devils were relieved, both in Jeru- 
salem and the cities round about, ver, 15, 16. 

21 Q. Did the high priests and rulers let the ap 
go on at this rate ? 

A. They again put them in prison, but the ai j 
the Lord by night opened the prison doors, an< 
them again to preach this Gospel, per. 17 — 

22 ({. When they were brought again befoi 
rulers, how did they behave themsen 

A. They charged the rulers with putting Chi 
death, and declared they were witnesses of his na- 
tion ; and that God liad exalted him to be a Fr»a 
a Saviour, to give repentance and fa 
ver. 29 — .32. 

23 Q. What effect had this speech upon 
and eiders ? 

A. At the advice of Gamaliel (who doubted w 
the hand of God was not with the apostles) they dis- 
missed them again ; but they beat them first, and 
commanded them to preach Jes>us Christ no more 
84—42. 

24 ({. When there were such multitude- of con 
how could the apostle-* both preach the Gospel, and dis- 
tribute the money to the poor : 

A. The apdftti< • 
too much for them, and therefore they bid the d.- 
choose out m)\qm men (who were afterwards called dea- 
cons) to take care of the poor, that the} might 
constantly be engaged in preaching and prayer. 
vi. 1—5. 

25 (~l. How did the apostles separate I 
the people chose to this office <>f a del 

A They prayed and laid their hand* v 



Chap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 267 

26 Q. Who were the most considerable of these 
seven men ? 

Jl. Stephen and Philip, who were full of faith and 
zeal, and had great gifts communicated to them. 

27 Q. What is related concerning Stephen? 

A. He wrought wonders, and no doubt he preached 
the word with power, till he was accused to the council 
for blasphemy against God and Moses, ver. 8 — 15. 

28 Q. How did Stephen defend himself? 

. 1. By a long rehearsal of their ancient histories, he 
charged them and their fathers with resisting the Holy 
Spirit, with killing the prophets, and with breaking the 
law of God ; and upbraided them at last with the mur- 
der of Christ. Acts vii. 1 — 53. 

29 Q« What did they do with Stephen after so bold 
a speech r 

A. When he told them further, that he saw the hea- 
vens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of 
God ; they cried out against him as a blasphemer, with 
a loud voice ; they cast him out of the city and stoned 
him. ver. 54 — 58. 

30 Q. How did Stephen behave at his death ? 

A. He, being the first martyr for Christ, gave a gloria 
ous instance of his faith and love. 

31 Q. Wherein did his faith appear? 

A. At his death he prayed, and said, Lord Jesus re- 
ceive my spirit, ver. 59. 

32 Q. How did he manifest his love ? 

A. He prayed for his enemies, and said, Lord, lay 
not this sin to their charge, ver. 60. 

33 (£. What is recorded concerning Philip the dea- 
con ? 

A. He went down to Samaria, and preached Christ 
among them, and healed the sick, and cast out devils.. 
Acts viii. 5, 6, f. 

34 Q. Did he make any converts there ? 

A. Yes ; many of the Samaritans believed in Christ 
and were baptized, and among the rest one Simon a 
sorcerer, was baptized, who is commonly called Simoil 
Ma^us. ver. 9 — 13. 



268 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi 

55 ({. Did these believers at Samaria receive 
Holy Spirit also? 

J. Peter and Win, the apostles, came down on par- 
pose from Jerusalem, and laid hand- on the 
received the Holy Spirit ver, 14—17. 

JVo/e. This make > it evident, thai 1 I 
the Samaritans, was aot th< 

for had he b» en tii' apostle, there would ! 
Peter and John to come from Jerusalem t>> laj i 
that beli 

3G Q How did Simon M;igns betray hi- own hvj>o- 
crisy and falsehood? 

A. He offered them money that he might 
to communicate the Holy Gnost to others by layii 
his hands, ver. 18, 19. 

37 Q. How was he reproved for this hi 
and folly ? 

Ji. Peter said to him, Thy money perish rrith thee ! 
Thou hast no part with us in this matter ; fur thy 
heart is not right in the sight of God. r . . 

38 Q. Whither was Philip sent next to preach? 
•ft. The angel of the Lord sent him to no 

officer of the queen of Ethiopia upon the road, a- h< 
returning from Jerusalem, where he had been to wo 
as a proselyte, rer. 26, 27. 

39 Q. How was he employed when Philip met him ? 
Ji. He was sitting in his chariot, and readme the 

chapter of Isaiah, where it is v. i 
sheep to the slaughter, c\,v. r. r. 

40 Q. In what mariner did Philip preach 
to him ? 

Ji. Upon his inquiry, " who was th 
the prophet spake:" Philip preached Je-us Chris 
Saviour to him. v i 

41 Q. What bu - ess ha I I of Philip ? 
Ji. He professed hi- faith, that Jet Bon ol 

God, and was baptized a- to anv wa- 

ter, ver. 36—38. 

42 ((. What became of Philip an. rwards : 
Ji. The Spirit of the Lord caughl him 



Chap. £& SCRIPTURE HISTORY. £69 

carried him to Azotus ; whence he travelled to Cesarea, 
and preached to all the cities upon the road. ver. 39, 40. 

43 Q. What are the next remarkable actions of 
Peter r 

Ji. He went down to Lydda, and cured Eneas, who 
had kept his bed eight years with the palsy ; and he 
went to Joppa, and raised Dorcas from the dead. Acts 
ix. 35—41. 

44 Q. . Who was this Dorcas ? 

A. She was a woman full of good works, and who 
made garments for the poor. ver. 36 — 39. 

45 Q. What was the eifect of these miracles ? 

A. Many at Lydda and Joppa believed and turned 
to the Lord. ver. 35 — 42. 

46 Q. What message did Peter receive while he was 
at Joppa ? 

Ji. Cornelius, a centurion that feared God, and pray- 
ed to him daily, was ordered by an angel in a vision to 
send to Joppa for Peter, that he might teach him the 
way of salvation. Jicts x. 1 — 6. 

47 Q. Did Peter readily go upon this message, and 
preach to Cornelius who was one of the Gentiles? 

Ji. Peter being a Jew, would have thought it unlaw- 
ful to keep company with the Gentiles ; that is, to go 
and sojourn, and eat with them in a familiar manner, as 
thinking them unclean : but God forewarned him in a 
vision, just before the messengers came to him, that he 
should freely go and preach to the Gentiles who sent for 
him. ver. 19, 20, 28, 29. 

48 Q. What sort of vision was this whereby God 
forewarned Peter that the Gentiles should not be judged 
unclean any longer ? 

Ji. While the messengers of Cornelius drew near 
the city, Peter went upon the house-top to pray ; and 
there was a great sheet appeared to be let down from 
heaven, with all manner of unclean beasts and birds, and 
creeping things ; and a voice bid Peter kill and eat, nor 
call those things unclean which God had cleansed, ver, 
9, 20. 

24*^ 



2ro SCRIPTURE HISTORY. ch,. ; 

Ab/f. By this \ [gion P( i. 
two things at once; namely, he was (aught lit< 
pressly, that then- were do mon J< wriah distinct* i 

be observed ; and he was taught, I 

Gentiles should do longer be fount, d uncl< an, or until : 

familiarly to eat an<l converse with. 

49 Q. How did Peter be«;in hi- sermon to Cornelius 
and his friends ? 

A. Thus; Of a truth I perceive that Qod /> 
specter of j)ersons ; but in evert/ nation, he that / 
God, and worketh righteous), 
Acts x. 34, 35. 

50 Q. What was the chief substance of hi- dis- 
course ? 

A. He preached the life, and death, ami n 
of Christ; and that he was ordained to be 
the world : and that whosoever belie vet h in him - 
have remission of sins, r 

51 Q. Had this sermon of Peter an\ 
success ? 

A. While Peter spake these words, the Holy ' 
fell on all those that were present : and they spak 
tongues, and were baptized in thr name <>f th< : 
ver. 44 — 48. 

52 ^. How did Peter defend him- 

and eating with the Gentiles, when the Jewish l>< ! 
reproved him for it r 

A. Peter related the whole Btory, both 
vision upon the house-top, and of the angel that wai 
to Cornelius, and the wonderful buc< • mon ; 

upon which they held their peace, and glorified 
Acts xi. 1—18. 

53 Q. AVere the disciples of Christ free from | 
cution at this time r 

A. They hail been free from persecution for a con- 
siderable time in Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, till 
Herod killed James the brother of John with the 11 
and put Peter in prison. AcU i\. 31, and xii. 1 — -4. 

54 Q. How did Peter escape from his hands ? 
A. Prayer was made by the church without c« 



Chap. 25. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 271 

for him ; and while he was sleeping between two sol- 
diers, bound with two chains, and the sentinels kept the 
prison-door, at night a light shone in the prison, and the 
angel of the Lord awakened him, the chains fell from his 
hands, the gates opened of their own accord, and the 
angel brought .him into the street and departed. Acts 
xii. 5—10. 

55 Q. Whither went Peter after his release from 
prison ? 

A. To the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, 
where the disciples were met together for prayer, and 
he ordered them to acquaint the brethren of his miracu- 
lous deliverance, ver. 12 — 17. 

56 ({. Mow did Herod shew his rage for his disap- 
pointment ? 

*#, He commanded the keepers of the prison to be 
put to death, being exceedingly vexed that Peter had 
escaped his hands, ver. 19. 

57 ^. What remarkable judgment of God fell upon 
Herod ? 

A. Upon a special occasion, sitting on his throne, in 
his royal robes, he made a speech to the people ; upon 
which they cried out, It is the voice of a god and not 
of a man ; and immediately the angel of the Lord smote 
him, because he gave not God the glory, and he was 
eaten of worms and died. ver. 21- — 23. 

58 Q. What further account is there given of Peter 
in Scripture ? 

Ji. He preached the Gospel to the world, he encour- 
aged the receiving the Gentiles into the church without 
circumcision, by his own example; he wrote letters to 
encourage the believers under persecution ; till at last 
he was crucified, as Christ had foretold him. Jicts xv. 
7 — 11. First and second epistle of Peter. Johnxxu 
18,19. 2 Pet A. 13—15. 

59 Q. Is there any thing else recorded concerning 
the apostle John ? 

A. He also preached the word, and wrote the his- 
tory of the life and death of Christ, which is called his 
Gospel ; he wrote several epistles to the Christians ; he 



:;.: SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap 

was banished to the isle of Patraos for the sake <>f 
Christ, where he wrote the book of the Revelation : in 

what order he wrote these things, does not appear from 

Scripture. 

60 Q. You have informed u.-> what were ti 
and what was the religion thai the apostles 
pies taught after Christ went to heaven ; In.' 
comes it to pass that among these doc trim 
find them insisting more expressly <»n that g 
of the Gospel, the redemption by Christ's death, and 
the atonement made for sin by his suffering : 

Ji. It is sufficiently evident that this docti u 
the world by Peter and John, as well as by Paul, -in* e 
is frequent mention of it in their epistles, ;i- well a-* it 
shines every where through the epistles of St. Paul : 
nor can we suppose their preaching utterly forj 
neglected what their writings abound with, 
19, ch. ii. 24, ch. iii. 18, and iv. 1, 1 John I 
ch. iii. 16, and v. 6, and therefore it i» possible 
might preach it sometimes at first, though u !>«• w 
pressly recorded in such short abstra< tsof their * 
as we find in the book of Acts. Or, if this doctrin 
not published at first with frequency and freedom, there 
seems to be a very good reason for it, namely,!. 
neither the Jews nor Gentiles could well bear it bo 
for it was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and fo 
IMS* to the Greeks. 1 Sor.i. 23. And they were i<» be 
led bv degrees into a full acquaintance with the m j 
of the Gospel; even as Christ himself led his own dis- 
ciples by slow degrees into the knowledge of tbii 
otner things, at they were able to bear them. 
xvi vi. 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 



CKAP. XXVI, 

The Acts of Paul the Apostle, his Travels and Suffer- 
ings, his Life and Death. 

1 q. Who was Paul ? 

A. He was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born 
at Tarsus ; his name at first was Saul, he was brought 
up in the strict sect of the Pharisees, a man of good 
morals, and exceeding zealous of the traditions of the 
fathers. Acts xxiii. 9, and xxi. S9. Phil, iii. 5, 6. Gal. 
i. 14. Acts vii. 58. 

2 Q. What was his behaviour towards the Christians 
while he continued a Pharisee ? 

A. He was a very great persecutor in his younger 
years, he made havock of the church every where, send- 
ing men and women to prison, and he encouraged those 
who stoned Stephen. Acts viii. 1, 3, and vii. 58. 

3 Q. How came he to become a Christian ? 

A. As he was going to Damascus, with orders from 
the high priest to bring all the Christians he could find 
there bound to Jerusalem, he was struck, down on the 
road, by a blaze of light from heaven. Acts ix. 1 — 3. 

4 Q. Did he hear any voice at the same time ? 

A. A voice from heaven said to him, Saul, Saul, why 
persecutest thou me? I am Jesus, whom thou persecu- 
test. ver. 4, 5. 

5 Q. "What effect had this upon Saul ? 

A. He trembled and cried out, Lord, what wilt thou 
have me to do ? And the Lord bid him arise, and go to 
the city of Damascus, and there he should be told his 
duty. ver. 6. 

6 Q. Did Saul obey this divine vision ? 

A. He rose from the earth, and found that he was 
struck blind, and he was led by the hand into Damascus, 
where he was three days without sight and without food, 
and engaged much in prayer, ver. 8 — 1 1 . 

7 Q. Who was sent to teach him his duty there ?■ 
A. Ananias, a disciple, was ordered by the Lord in 



274 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

a vision to u;o to him in the house where he lodged, and 

to restore hl8 eye >i<_ r ht, ivr. 11, 1 I, and to tell linn what 
honour and duty God had appointed lor him, 

8 Q. Did Ananias u<> willingly mi this en 

*tf. He was at first afraid to go, because he had heard 
of his cruel persecution of the Christians; but the 
Lord assured him that Saul would receive him hi 
be had given Saul also a vision of oi 
pare him lor his coming, ivr. 10, 8tC 

9 ({. How did Saul recover hi- sight r 

Jl. Ananias laid his hands upon him, and he re< 
his sight, and was tilled with the Holy Gho 
baptized, ver. 17, 18. 

10 Q. Who appointed Saul a 

Jl. The Lord Jesus ordered Ananias to tell him, that 
God had chosen him to know his will, 
to be a witness tor Christ to the world. Acit wii. I 
And some time after that, Christ himself in anoi 
ion sent him to preach to the heathen natioi - 

JVo/e here. In ^\. Paul's rehearsal of (I 
*.4ctsxx\\. 16. fee. Christ hims< li i« 
his first commission from heaven t 
yet it has been questioned whether the a] 
rehearsal join together all that Christ said t-> hill . 
first vision upon the road to Damas< 
Jerusalem in the temple, when he 
the Gentiles, Acts wii. 17. 18, 21, hut thi 
to be assumed hi 

11 ({. How did Saul employ himself after this 
derful appear.!- 

A. He was a lew days with the dis< :ipfc ■- 
eus, and he soon preached Chrisl in the syni g - 
he is the Son of God, to the amazement of then 
heard him. wnr« 19- 

12 ({. How came he to learn and preach the <> 
so soon r 

Jl. It is generally supposed 'hat 
Gospel by Jesus Chrisl himself in the three daya «»t" hi- 
blindness, for he declare- he learnt it not ('rem 
QaLL l, 11—16. 



Chap. 26, SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 275 

IS Q. Where did he preach the Gospel when he 
went from Damascus? 

J. In Arabia, and he returned again to Damascus, 
and did not go up to the apostles at Jerusalem till 
three years after. Gal. i. 17, 18. 

14 ({. When he returned to Damascus, how did the 
Jews bear with him ? 

A. They watched the gates night and day to slay 
him ; but the disciples took him by night, and let him 
down by the wall in a basket. Jicts ix. 23 — 25, and 2 Cor. 
xi. 32, 33. 

15 Q. When he came to Jerusalem how was he re- 
ceived by the disciples ? 

A. They were all afraid of him, because he had been 
so great a persecutor of the Christians but a very few 
years before, ver. 26. 

16 Q. How were they persuaded to believe that he 
was now a disciple of Christ ? 

A. Barnabas brought him to the apostles, and gave 
an account of Christ's calling him from heaven, and his 
preaching boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus, ver. 
26, 27. 

17 Q. W r ho was Barnabas ? 

*3. A Levite of Cyprus, whose name was Joses, who 
was a zealous disciple of Christ and a preacher of the 
Gospel, whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas, that is, 
the son of consolation. Acts iv. 36. 

18 Q. Did Saul preach Christ at Jerusalem ? 

A. Yes, with great courage ; but the Grecians, (that 
is, the Hellenist or Grecian Jews) sought to slay nim, 
and then the brethren persuaded him to retire to his na- 
tive place, Tarsus in Cilicia. Jicts ix. 28 — 30. 

19 Q. What was that other vision which he had of 
Christ when he was at Jerusalem ? 

A. As he was praying in the temple he saw the Lord, 
who assured him that the Jews would not receive his 
witness concerning him, and bid him depart from Jeru- 
salem, for that he would send him to the Gentiles. Jicts 
xxil 17—21. 



27G SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Cinq 

Though this account of 1 Christ in Um 

'< mple ;it Jerusalem, seem! here immediate 1\ to I 
count of his conversion, Acts wii. 16, 17, yet some think he 
had not this vision till Che second tiin< ol his comii 
lem. 

20 Q. "Whither was Barnabas sent by the aposl 

A. When they heard of the greal of the 

Gospel in foreign countries, they sent him ;i- Ear i 
tioch in Syria to confirm the disciples. Acts 

JVb<< . This -.r' at s Gospel at tl.i- tin ■ 

partly among the Jews who resided in otlxr • 
partly the Jewish pros< lyt< - of i! • 
and sucJl as feared God. Acts \. 

21 Q. Whither did Barnabas go when I • 
och ? 

A. He went to Tarsus to seek Saul, and brought him 
to Antioch, where they spent a whoh 
there the disciples were first called - 
xi. 25, 26, 

22 Q. What further commission had Barnabt - 
Saul to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles? 

A. The Holy Spirit appointed I 
teachers at Antioch to separate Bai Saul to 

fee work to which he had called them, that 
to the idolatrous Genti 
prayer, and laying on th 

23 q. Who was their assistant or attendant 
journey : 

A. 'John I 
xiii •">. CoL iv. 10. 

24 Q. What o] •, < sition did the] 
they came to Paphos in Ctj n 

.'.'. V. hei 
sent for thei 
Elymaa a h 

withstood them, in order to prevent the [ 
believing, n r. <— - 

25 ((. Hot 

.7. Saul (who from this tiim 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 277 

ture) struck him blind with his word, upon which the 
governor believed in Christ, ver. 10-— 12. 

JVote . From Paphos they -went to Pamphylia in Asia, and 
there John Mark returned to Jerusalem, and left Paul and Bar- 
nabas, rer. 13. 

26 Q. Where were the next remarkable labours of 
Paul and Barnabas ? 

A. Paul preached in the synagogue of the Jews at 
Antioch in Pisidia, where he proved Jesus to be the 
promised Saviour, and published his death and resurrec- 
tion, and forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts 
xiii. 14 — 41. 

27 Q. What effect had Paul's preaching upon the 
inhabitants of that city? 

A. Many of the Jews, filled with envy, contradicted 
the words of Paul, and blasphemed Christ; upon which 
Paul declared, that since the Jews rejected the Gospel, 
they would turn to the Gentiles, according to the com- 
mand of the Lord. ver-. 45 — 47. 

28 Q. Did the Gentiles receive the Gospel there ? 
A. Many of them believed the word of the Lord, 

which seems to be the first very remarkable conversion 
of the idolatrous Gentiles: but the Jews prevailed so 
far as to drive Paul and Barnabas out of their coasts, 
who shook off the dust of their feet against them, ac- 
cording to the command of Christ, ver. 48 — 51. Matt 
x. 14. 

29 ^. Whither did Barnabas and Paul travel next ? 

A. They went to Iconium, and preached the Gos- 
pel with some success there, both among the Jews and 
Gentiles ; till being in danger of stoning, they fled to 
Lystra. Acts xiv. 1 — 6. 

30 Q. What remarkable occurrence fell out at Lys~ 
tra? ■ 

A. A man that was born a cripple, liearing Paul 
preach, was healed by Paul, and he leaped and walked. 
ver. 8—10. 

31 Q. How did this miracle affect the people ? 

A. They supposed Barnabas and Paul to be two of 
3.5 



ATu RIPTURE HISTORY. Chi 

their gods, namely, Jupiter and Mercury, wl 

down in the likeness of men ; and Barnabas and Paul 

had much ado to hinder the people from ofl 

fice to them. ver. I — I 

32 ({. Did the peoph 1 < ontinue in this mind r 

Ji. They were so ehan«:yaljle, that by tin 
of certain wicked Jews, they quicklj stoned Paul, and 
left him for dead. ver. 9. 

S3 ((. How did Paul escape thence? 

Ji. When his enemies were ^mc, he rose up ami 
went with Barnabas through many cities where tl,. 
preached the Gospel to confirm tie dis4 iples : and" then 
they returned to Antioch in Syria, from whence 
had been sent forth, and recommended to the ^i l 
God. ver. 20 — 27. 

34 Q. What new troubles arose while flu 
Antioch ? 

A. Some Jewish Christians coming from Judea, b 
the brethren that they could not be saved, 
were circumcised, and kept the law of M 
xv. 1. 

55 Q. How was this controversy determined \ 

Ji. Paul and Barnabas were sent t<» Jerusalem to the 
apostles and elders about this question. u< r. 

Note. It is probable thai .'it this time Paul told 
and John, of the liberty of the GospeL, ojr 
Jewish ceremonies, which he preached ' 
ii. 1 — 9, and which he call? his Gospel, 
apostle of the Gentiles. Gal. ii. 7— 'J, and 1 Tun. ii. 7. 

36 Q. How did the apostles and elders de< ide it . : 
Ji. First, Peter declared that the Gentiles had \< 
ed the Gospel from his mouth, as well as t' 
there was now no difference between them, aim i 
had declared his acceptance of them by -.living tl,- 
Holy Spirit, and that without circumcision. Secondly, 
Jiarnabas and Paul rehearsed what wondrous - 
God had given t<> their mini-try among the Gentile* 
what miracles were wrought among them : then 
.delivered his opinion, that since the Gentiles had I 
■ed the Gospel, as it was foretold by the prophets, they 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 279 

should not be burdened with circumcision and other Jew- 
ish ceremonies : upon which, at last, the apostles and 
elders, and the whole church, sent a message to Antioch, 
and other countries, that the Gentile converts were not 
bound by the Jewish laws : vet, by the direction of the 
Holy Spirit, they required them at that time to abstain 
front meats offered to idols, from eating blood, from 
things strangled, and from fornication, ver. 6 — 30. 

S7 Q. Why were these few things so particularly 
forbid to the Gentile converts ? 

JJ. Some suppose these were the things always for- 
bidden to the Jewish proselytes of the gate. See JWe 
on Q. 20. And that it would have given too much of- 
fence to the Jews, as well as to those proselytes, if the 
apostles had not required the Gentile converts to observe 
these rules, at least for the present season. 

JVote. Fornication was a thing always unlawful in itself, yet 
here other things are joined with it which are not sinful in their 
own nature : because the eating of blood and things offered to 
idols were frequently attended with fornication and impurity, 
among the Gentiles at their idolatrous feasts ; and therefore this 
sin of fornication is expressly forbidden here, to put the Chris- 
tians always in mind of the unlawfulness of it ; and more par- 
ticularly, because some professed Christians in that age pre- 
tended it to be lawful, such as the Gnostics, Nicolaitans, &c. 

Abstinence from things offered to idols seems to be but a 
temporary command, for particular times and places ; since it is 
permitted in some cases by the apostle, namely, where it gives 
no offence. 1 Cor. x. 19 — 31. And abstinence from blood, 
not being in itself unlawful, seems to stand on the same foot : 
for it is plain, that the reason given against eating blood is, be- 
cause it was devoted to God to make atonement for sin. Lev. 
xvii. 10 — 14. And the blood of beasts slain for food was to be 
poured out on the ground, because the life, or most noble part 
of the creature, ivas contained in it ; and was devoted to God, 
as a sort of first-fruits, to sanctif} r the rest for the eater's use. 
But now, the blood of Christ having made full atonement for 
em, and all sorts of food under the New Testament being sanc- 
tified to the eater by the word and prayer, 1 Tim. iv. 3 — 5, 
blood has neither of these uses continued ; and is therefore one 
of those meats which may be eaten loith thanksgiving, though 
it was forbidden at first for a season, together with meats offered 
to idols, lest the Jews and proselytes should take offence. 



180 SCRIPTURK HISTORY. Chaj 

38 Q What were the next travels of Paul and 
nabas ? 

Jl. They determined to vi>it their brethren in 
city where they had preached the Gospel ; !>'.• 
could not agree about taking John Mark foi 
ant, because he had left them before in the middle ol 
their work, ver, S6 — 38. 

39 ({. How was this contention ended t» 
nabas and Paul ? 

Jl. Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus ; 
chose Silas, (who had been sent with them from Ji 
lem to Antioch) and went through Syria and Cilicja, 
confirming the churches, ver. 39 — 4 1 . 

40 ({. Where did Paul meet with Timothy? 
A. He was a young disciple at Lystra, the son 

Jewish woman, and Paul took him for their companion 
in the ministry; and they travelled through man. 
of that country which is now called the ! 
Jicts xyi. 1 — 8. » 

Js'ote. Asia is a large country, one quarter 
The Lesser Asia ia the same with N 
tween tlie Euxinc Sea and th» Medio rn 
which the Scripture so frequentlj speaks <>( in tl 
to be but a small part of this Lesser Asia, including 
Mysia, Caria and Lybia, which arc wash* d on ti • 
Mgeaa Sea ; and where the Ian. 
Rev. i. 11. 

41 Q. Where was the next remarkable place of their 
ministry ? 

J. They were invitea to Macedonia by a ^ 
they went to Philippi, a chief city of that i 
preached there with some success, ver, 9 — 1 J. 

Ao/e. Hire it i.< probable that Luke, who v 
of the .'l/msilcs, became a conipanio 
time he o«ea the word \\ b in hit hist 

42 Q. What miracle was wroughl there? 

.#. They cast a devil out of a certain young woman, 
who brought much gain to her masters by tore! 
tilings to come. ivr. 10 — 18. 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 181 

43 Q. How did her masters bear it when they saw 
their gains were gone ? 

Ji. They brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, 
and charged them with teaching strange customs / 
whereupon they were beaten and imprisoned, and their 
feet made fast in the stocks, ver. 19 — 24. 

44 Q. How were they released thence ? 

Ji. At, midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang 
praises to God ; the prison was shaken with an earth- 
quake, the doors opened, their bands were loosed; upon 
which the gaoler awaking, was going to kill himself, 
supposing the prisoners had been fled. ver. 25 — 27. 

45 Q. How was this self-murder prevented ? 

A. Paul and Silas shewed themselves as his prison- 
ers, preached the Gospel to him ; upon which he believed, 
and he and his house were baptized, ver. 28 — 34. 

46 Q. But did the magistrates then dismiss them ? 
A. Yes ; they desired them to depart when they 

knew they were Romans, because they had beaten and 
imprisoned them uncondemned. ver. 35 — 40. 

47 Q. What trials did they meet with at Thessa- 
lonica ? 

Ji. Many Greeks and Jews were converted there % 
but the unbelieving Jews "there rose up against them, and 
almost in every city where they came ; and they went 
next to Berea. Jets xvii. 1 — 10. 

48 Q. What was the wise and generous conduct of 
theBereaus? 

A. They,,that is, the Jews of Berea, searched the- 
Scriptures daily, to find whether Paul and Silas taught 
the truth ; and by this practice many of them were led 
to believe in Christ, ver. 10 — 13. 

49 Q. In what manner did Paul preach, when he 
came to Athens ? 

Ji. He disputed with the Jews in their synagogues, . 
with the devout persons, and with the heathen philoso- - 
phers in the market place ; and on Mars Hill he took 
occasion to preach the true God to the people from an 
altar he found, inscribed, To the Unknown GocL ver 
16— SO. 

25* 



282 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Char 

50 Q. But did he not also preach Jesus Christ and 
the Gospel r 

A. Yes; by preaching natural religion first, bi led 
them by degrees to the dot trim' of Christ, and assured 
them that Jesus Christ was appointed to be the Judge of 
the world, and that God had raised him from the 
as a sure token of it. ver. 30, 31. 

51 Q. What employment had Paul at Corinth ? 

A. He there met with Aquila, a believing Jew, with' 
his wife Priscilla, and wrought with him at I 
they were both tent-makers ; but he preached in the 
Jewish synagogue every sabbath. *lct$ win. 1 — A. 

52 Q. What effect had his preaching the 

Ji. He continued there by orders received 
Christ in a vision a year and six month- : and 
Jews and many Gentiles believed and were be] 
ver. 5 — 11. 

53 Q. What persecution did he meet with th« 
A. The Jews brought him before Gallio the d< 

governor, but he wisely refused t<» take cog 
any of their controversies about religion, 
could have, charged him with some wickedness or in- 
justice, ver. 12 — 16. 

Note 1. Though Paul found such great and rem ark able ac- 
cess in his ministry among; the Corinthians, yet 
•f some false brethren, and some ambitious pret< nders 1 
tleship, there were such faction- and cent in this 

church that cost him much, sorrow of heart. \nd this 
creased by the irregular Ures and immoral 
his converts there, which occasioned his i 
excellent epistles to them. 

Note 2. It is thought most probable that Paul, wh 
from Corinth to Cenchrea, and Ephesus, I< ft Aquila at 
cilia at Ephesus, where they in fervent 

preacher, a disciple of John Baptist, in the Gospel of • 
but that Paul himself went to Jerusalem I 
turned to Ephesus ac |uila w> nt tl.< n 

his great success at Ephesus 
next chapter, namely, the rnli. 

54 Q. When Paul came to Ephesus what remarka- 
ble occurrences did lie meet with there I 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 283 

A. He found some persons who were baptized only 
unto John's baptism, and he preached Jesus Christ to 
them, and they believed, and were baptized in the name 
of Christ ; and when Paul laid his hands on them, they 
received the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues. Acts 
xix. 1 — T. 

55 Q. How did he perform the rest of his ministry 
there ? 

A. Three months he preached the Gospel in the 
Jewish synagogue ; but when the Jews were hardened 
against him, "he taught the same Gospel in the school of 
one Tyrannus for near two years, and healed many dis- 
eases, and cast out evil spirits, ver. 8 — 12. 

56 Q. Was he not persecuted by the heathens in 
this place ? 

A. When Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver 
shrines for the goddess Diana, (whose famous temple 
stood at Ephesus) found that the worship of the goddess 
declined through Paul's preacning, he stirred up the 
men of his trade, and by them a multitude of people 
were raised against Paul, so that he was in danger of 
his life. ver. 24—29. 

57 Q. How did he escape here ? 

A. The town clerk finding such a rude tumult, with 
soft words composed and quieted them, and bid Deme- 
trius go fairly to law, if any man had injured him. ver. 
29 — 41. The uproar being thus composed, Paul took 
his leave of the disciples, and after several short jour- 
nies and labours in the Gospel in those parts he came 
to Troas. Acts xx. 1— - 6. 

58 Q. Was there any thing of importance fell out 
in the seven days while Paul tarried at Troas ? 

A. Paul preached and broke bread on the first day 
of the week, and continuing his speech till midnight, a 
young man named Eutychus slept and fell down from? 
the third story, and was taken up dead. Acts xx. 6 — 9; 

59 Q. How was the young man recovered ? 

A. Paul fell on him and embraced him, and brought 
him alive before them. ver. 10 — 12. 

60 Q. What exhortation did Paul give at Miletus h 



284 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chi] 

A. He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the 
church ; made a most affectionate discourse to them : hid 
them Take heed to themselves, and to the church oj 
which he had purchased I with his own blood; v. 
them of grievous wolves that should enter int<» the flock ; 
encouraged them to persevere in faith and holiness, and 
recommended them to God and the word of hi* 
ver. 17 — 35. 

61 Q. Whither did Paul travel next ? 

A. He hastened to Jerusalem by manyjourni< - 
voyages, travelling through several Jt lie 

was dissuaded from it by many disciple-; and \\ i 
ticularly told by Agabus, a Christian prophet, thai he 
should be bound at Jerusalem, and delivered into the 
hands of the Gentiles. Acts xx. 16, and xxi. J — 15. 

62 Q. In what manner did Agabus delivei 
prophecy ? 

A. He bound his own hands and feet with I ' 
girdle and said, Thus maith the Holy Spi\ 
the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that 
girdle. ver.W. 

63 Q. What was the noble speech and resolute 
Paul on this occasion ? 

A. When the brethren wept at the thoughts of his 
sufferings, he answered, What mean ye, to weep and to 
break my heart ? For 1 am ready not to be bound 
but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 
Acts xxi. 12,13. 

64 Q. What was the first thing he did wh< 
came to Jerusalem. 

A. He went to James the apostle, and to 
and declared what God had wrought by his mil 
among the Gentiles. Acts xxi. IT — 20, 

Note. Here he now published freelj I • bnrch 

his success among idolaters, which 1m- had communicati 
before privately, ami to a f< w. G*L ii. S. 

65 q. What advice did the. elders at Jerusalem 

him I 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 285 

Jl. They advised him to shave and purify himself 
by an offering, after the manner of the Jews, who had 
the vow of the T^azarite upon them, Numb. vi. that he 
mi^ht not be suspected of disobeying the Jewish law, 
either by the believing or unbelieving Jews, who were 
all zealous for it. ver. 20 — 25. 

Note. This compliance of St. Pa\il being recommended to 
him by one apostle, namely, James, and by the erders at Jeru- 
salem, Acts xxi. 18, 20, &c. and being put in practice by him- 
self, who was, perhaps, the chief of the apostles, we cannot 
reasonably suppose it sinful or blame-worth^, especially since 
the Scripture passes no censure on it : and yet must we not 
say the religious ceremonies of the Jews, and particularly all 
the sin-offerings, (such as this was, Numb. vi. 14,) were abol- 
ished by the great sacrifice of Christ, and the introduction of 
Christianity by the Holy Ghost at pentecost ? — In order there- 
fore to vindicate this practice of St. Paul, we may consider the 
Jewish ceremonies under a twofold aspect*, 1. As they were* 
part of their national laws, under God as their King ; and, 2. 
As part of their religious worship paid to him as their God. 
Now the Jewish state being not yet destroyed, may we not sup- 
pose that St. Paul might comply with these practices as a part 
of the national Jewish laws, rather than as a religious worship? 
for he every where declared the Gentiles to be free from them. 

Or, if we consider these ceremonies only in their religious 
design, may Ave not suppose, that from the death of Christ, 
which was the substantial sacrifice, these shadows so far van- 
ished, that they ceased to be necessary, but were left, for a 
season, as indifferent things to the Jews, which, as the apostle 
expresses, Heb. viii. 13, were decaying, and wasting old and 
ready to vanish away ? May we not suppose the divine indul- 
gence of them for a season," because of the weakness of man- 
kind, who cannot easily bear a universal change of their an- 
cient customs all at once ? And for this reason, lest the Jews 
should take too great offence, St. Paul took Timothy and cir- 
cumcised him, in order to make him a preacher, since his 
mother was a Jewess, Acts xvi. 1, 3, this being a lawful thing 
to him, though not necessary. At the same time he would 
not have Titus circumcised, because he was a Gentile 
who had had nothing to do with the Jewish law. Gal. ii. 3, 
And the same apostle being a Jew, for the same reason might 
comply with the Jewish rites of shaving his head, and sacrificing, 
as things left indifferent to the Jews for a season, bv the will of 
God, in compliance with the weakness of man. 



286 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. CI, 

66 Q. Did th$e pie< e of compliance secure Paul 
from the pers wa ? 

Ji. The unbelieving Jews had -iic-h a rooted I 
against him lor his zeal and success in preaching up 
Christianity, that thev seized him under pretence ul hit 
having brought Greeks ii 

not true : and they were ready to ten- him to pie< 
the chief captain rescued him, and gave him leave to 
give an account ol himself to the multitude, vi r, 87 — 10. 

67 Q. What defence itid Paul then mak. } 
> A. Ho g ve them the I istory .»! 

birth, and brought up at the feet •..(' Gamaliel, in J< 
lem ; of his former zeal against Christ, his being it 
down to the ground on the road, and called to from hea- 
ven by Jesus Christ; and also of his vision ol I 
in the temple, sending him to preach the Gospel to the 
Gentil es. .J<> is >: >: i i . 1 ■ — ^2 1 . 

68 Q. How did the Jews bear this speech ? 

A. When he spake of beinjr sent to the Gentil, - 
lifted up their voices and said, Awau with such a fellow 
from the earth, for it is not ft he should lid . r r. 

69 Q. How was he secured from their r. . 

A. The chief captain again seized him, and bn 
him into the castle, and the next day ho ordered t'i 
priests and the council to appear, that Paul might 
an account of himself to them. ver. v 24 — 30. 

70 Q. How did Paul plead his own cause hei 
fore the council ? 

A. He found one part was Sadducces, who denied 
the resurrection, and the other part Pharisees, who be- 
lieved it; and therefore he artfully, and vet truh de- 
clared, Jt is for the hope of the resurrection oft!: 
1 am called in question : for indeed the resurrection <»t 
Christ from the dead, and our resurrection by him, wen 
some of the greatest articles of the Christian, faith, and 
that which Paul preached, .lets \wiii. 6, 7. 

71 Q. What effect had this upon the council? 

A. They fell into contention among themselves, and 
die Pharisees said, they found no evil in him : ami 
the chief captain secured him in th»' 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY. £87 

72 Q. What particular encouragement had Paul 
from heaven under these sufferings ? 

& It was this night that the Lord Jesus appeared to 
him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast 
testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness 
also at Home. Acts xxiii. 11. 

73 Q. What was the next danger he was exposed 
to? 

A. More than forty Jews had bound themselves un- 
der a great curse, not to eat till they had killed Paul ; 
and therefore they persuaded the v chief priests and elders 
to desire that he might once again be brought before them. - 
ver. 12 — 15 

74 Q. By what means did the providence of God 
secure Paul from this conspiracy ? 

A. Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, having private 
notice of this conspiracy from Paul's nephew, sent him 
to Cesarea, to Felix the governor of Judea, by night, 
with a guard of almost five hundred men. ver, 16 — 35. 

75 Q. What was the next step taken by the high 
priests and elders to condemn Paul, and how did Paul 
defend himself? 

A. They went down to Cesarea, and laid their accu- 
sation before Felix: but Paul defended himself by de- 
claring, he believed the law and the prophets ; nor was 
he guilty of profaning the temple, or raising a tumult, 
nor of anv tiling of which they accused him. Acts xxiv. 
1—21. 

76 (?. What did Felix determine concerning him ? 
A. Felix only kept him as a prisoner ; for he saw no 

reason to condemn him ; and often discoursed with him, 
hoping that Paul or his friends would give him a good 
bribe for a release, ver. 22 — 28. 

77 Q. Had Paul's discourses any good effect upon 

.A. Once, as he spoke concerning faith in Christ and 
reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment 
to come, ¥elix trembled, and bid Paul retire till he had 
a more convenient season to hear him further, ver. 24 s 
25. But he kept him prisoner still to please the Jews. 
ver. 27. 



238 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chaj 

78 Q. Did the high priests and elders entirely drop 
their accusations against Paul r 

J. Two years alter this, Festus was made governor 
in the room of Felix, and the Jews went to < 
laid grievous complaints against him. Acts xxn 
and xxv. 2. 

79 Q. How did Paul come off before r« - 

A. He utterly denied the charge of the Jews: and 
when Festus would have had him go up to Jerusalem to 
be judged of these matters, as the Jew> desired, in hopes 
to kill him by the way; Paul told Festus, that he 
very well he had done the Jews no wrong, that no man 
ought to deliyer him up to the hands of the Jej 
therefore he appealed to Cwsar, uer. 9 — IS. 

80 ({. What occasion had Paul then to )»h 
cause a^ain before Agrippa, who was the king <■ 

ilee ? 

J. Agrippa, with his sister Berime, came to m 
visit to Festus ; upon which Festus, among other i 
sation, informed him that he was going to send Paul the 
prisoner to Ctfsar upon his appeal, ami he woul. 
send to Ctesar a more particular account ol 
upon which Agrippa desired to hear Paul himselfi 
13 cyj 

Siq. What was the substance of Paul's 

J iPP Paul knew that Agrippa was acquainted with 
the 'laws and customs of the Jews, ami therefore he 
related before him in brief the l.Uon »M.i* v«. 
life as a Pharisee ; his hatred of the I hnsti 
ine called by Jesus Christ In.m heaven, when he w 
the road to Damascus; and his preaching the res 
tion of Christ and his Gospel ever since; which he 
maintained to be all agreeable to Moses and the pro- 
phets. Acts xxvi. 1 — 2S. 

82 Q. What influence had this Bpeech upon 

V *A. Paul addressed king Agrippa in bo 
manner, that Agrippa declared thai he wu aim 
suaded to be a t&stian ; and that Paul bad doi 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE IIISTOTIY. 289 

thing worthy of death, or of bonds ; and that he might 
have" been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Csesar. 
ver. 26 — 32. 

83 q. How was Paul sent to Csesar at Home ? 

Ji. He was sent thither by sea, with several other 
prisoners, and soldiers to guard them : they had a voy- 
age of the utmost danger, through storms and dark 
weather, which Paul foresaw, and warned the sailors of 
it. They were at last shipwrecked, but all escaped safe 
to land as Paul had assured them by a vision of an an- 
gel. The name of the island was called Melita, now 
Malta. Acts xxvii. 

84 Q. Was there any remarkable occurrence fell 
out tli ere ? 

A. The rain and the cold made them kindle a fire, 
and there came a viper from among the sticks and fast- 
ened on Paul's hand ; but he shook it off, and felt no 
harm. Acts xxviii. 1 — 5. 

85 Q. What did the barbarous people of the island 
think of this when they saw it ? 

A. They thought at first this man was a murderer, 
and vengeance pursued him at land, though he had es- 
caped the sea : but when they saw him shake off the 
viper and no harm come to him, they changed their minds 3 
and said he was a god. ver. 4 — 6. 

86 Q. What entertainment did they meet with upon 
the island ? 

A. Publius, the chief man there, lodged him three 
days ; Paul prayed and healed his father ot a bloody-flux s 
by laying on his hands ; upon which many other diseased 
persons came and were healed, ver. 7' — 9. 

87 Q, How long did they tarry there ? 

Ji. They tarried three months, because it was win- 
ter; and then sailed again, and landed in Italy, and 
travelled towards Rome. ver. 11 — 13. 

88 Q. How was Paul disposed, of when he came 
into the city ? 

Ji. He was suffered to dwell by himself with a sol- 
dier that kept him. ver. 16,. 
26 



290 SCRIPTURE HISTORY. Chap. 26. 

89 Q. What was Paul's first work when he came to 
Rome? 

A. In three day's time he sent for the chief of the 
Jews that were in the city, and excused himself to (fees 
that he was constrained to appeal unto Cesar ; and af- 
terwards on a day appointed, he preached tin- Gospel of 
Christ to them out of the law of Moses and the prophets, 
ver, 17 — 23. 

90 Q. What effect had this sermon of Paul on the 
Jews at Rome ? 

A. They were much divided : some helieved tha 
Gospel, and others opposed it : upon which Paul an- 
swered, that the salvation of God is sent to the G> I 
and they will hear it. ver. 24, 28. 

91 ({. How long did Paul continue there ? 

A. He dwelt two whole years in his own hired house* 
and preached the tilings concerning Christ to all that 
would come to hear him. ver. 29 — 31. 

Note. Here end? the history of the book of Srriptun 
ed the Acts of the Apostles. * What remains i- • 
the epistles of Paul. 

92 Q. Since several of the epistles of Paul an 
to be written from Rome, which are those which 
supposed to write at this time ? 

A. Those to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colos* 

and to Philemon ; and he tells them, he shall - 

to them: and about this time his bonds were man 

all the place, having continued there *<> long. Phil.i. 

13, 26. Eph. vi. 30. Col iv. 18. Philem. 

93 Q. When he was released from prison at Rome, 
whither did he go? 

A. Into several countries both of Europe and 
preaching the Gospel, and confirming the Christian con- 
verts. 

94 ({. Who attended and assisted him in Ins minis- 
try and his travels ? 

JL Sometime- Tychicus, or Timothy; somet 
Titus, Dpinas, or Cuke, Silas, or Trophimus, whom he 



Chap. 26. SCRIPTURE HISTORY: 291 

left sick at Miletum when he went again to Rome. See 
2 Tim. iv. 10— 12. 

95 Q. What became of him when he came the se» 
cond time to Rome ? 

Jl. He was cast into close prison, and when he made 
his first defence all men forsook him ; and Alexander 
the copper-smith did him much hurt. 1 Tim. iv. 14 — 16. 

96 Q. Did he finish his life and labours here ? 

Jl. He now tells Timothy that the time of his de- 
parture is at hand, and he was just ready to be offered 
up, when he wrote the second epistle to him from Rome. 
2 Tim. iv. 6. And when he had both laboured and suf- 
fered more than any of the apostles, as he himself had 
told us, 1 Cor. xv. 10. 2 Cor. xi. 23, &c. he was behead- 
ed, as a martyr for Christ, under the reign of Nero, em- 
peror of Rome, as the ancient historians inform us. 

My design in writing this summary of Scripture 
History, by way of question and answer, was chief- 
ly for the easier instruction of the younger part of 
mankind, and not so much for the improvement of 
the learned ; for which reason I have not been so- 
licitous to trace out, with a critical and chronologi- 
cal accuracy, every step of the travels of Paul; 
nor relate how often he went to Jerusalem, and to 
other cities, in repeated voyages and journies ; but 
only to point out his most remarkable travels, la- 
bours, and sufferings. A more exact account is 
drawn up, with great labour and skill, by a learned 
writer, in his book entitled, Miscellanea Sacra, Vol. I. 
to which I would refer those who desire a fuller 
information of this matter,. » 

The principal thing I had in view, from the begin- 
ning to the end of this work, was to set down some 
of the most necessary and the most important mat- 
ters of fact recorded in Scripture ; amongst which 
I have chosen out those which would be most enter- 
taining to younger minds, and w r ould make the deep- 



SCRIPTURE HISTORY. 

est and most lasting impression upon them, and 
such as would lead them into a survey of * 
and wonderful transactions of ihc providence 
grace of God among men ; tl 
ual discoveries of the will of God to men; 
different forms of religion i; i man- 

kind ; the rules of duty toward God and toward 
one another; together with an account of their 
obedience or disobedience to him, with their ! 
ings and their punishments, their afflict 
and deliverances, and that from the begin 
world to the promulgation of th< 
apostles in the first age of the Christian church: 
and this is as far as the history of th< 
reaches. 



THE END 



,•'*- 



-u 



021 181 013 # 



